Gov. Espino was not, is not and will never be a jueteng operator!

“I am not, I have never been, and I have no intention of becoming a jueteng operator. And I challenge everyone who accuses me as such to stand up here and show proof.”

               

This was emphasized by Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. as he refuted allegations that he is among the operators of the illegal numbers game during the resumption of hearings by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee last October 6 in Pasay City.

               

The Governor informed the body how he continually pondered to address the issue in the most polite manner because the accusations hurled against him in an open session in the Senate, seen in full view of the entire nation and in some parts of the world, were made by a high-ranking leader of the Catholic Church.

               

This, he said, has caused so much grief and anxiety to his family, friends and his aging mother who has spent sleepless nights trying to digest the grave implications of the unfounded and baseless accusations hurled against him.

               

Gov. Espino further said he has a high regard for the Archbishop and that he believes he means well in his crusade, but he added that “he might be just being misled by overzealous informants who are unwittingly being carried away by wild rumors and malicious schemes.”

               

“I hope he can find time to sift thru the raw reports before passing on these rumors and wild speculations to this august body as if the same were gospel truth,” he said.

               

The governor said he is inclined to sympathize with the archbishop for his furor over jueteng, particularly in the Province of Pangasinan, which could be a personal frustration over Cruz’s failure to see the total eradication of this problem in his own archdiocese even at the height of his crusade.

               

Gov. Espino also asked the senators to be “more circumspect and exercise caution in releasing sensitive but unverified information that may besmirch and destroy the reputation of innocent victims.”

               

Jueteng, Gov. Espino said, is a persistent and nagging social malady that is deeply rooted in our society that has been existent before everyone in this lifetime was born.

               

The Governor said he is one with all well-meaning leaders of this country for the complete eradication of this “national disease” but they should not be harsh and not too quick to accuse each other. Instead, he said, they should agree to work together and try to find concrete and effective solutions to address the problem. (PIO)