Senate panel recommends stiffer penalties for jueteng

A Senate panel recommended yesterday stiffer penalties against people involved in jueteng and other illegal numbers games, including bettors, to discourage such operations.

Sen. Robert Barbers, chairman of the committee on public order and illegal drugs, yesterday filed a bill seeking heavier fines and longer prison terms for violators.

Barbers’ measure, Senate Bill No. 2083, seeks to amend the present law, Presidential Decree 1602, issued by Ferdinand Marcos in 1978.

The penalties prescribed by the Marcos decree are light or antiquated compared to today’s standards, the former Manila police official said.

Under PD 1602, gambling operators are merely fined between P400 to P2,000 and may face prison terms of two to four years. Gambling financiers are fined P6,000 or may face imprisonment of four to six years.

Barbers said the current fines are nothing compared to the thousands illegal gambling operators earn daily, while the jail terms are all subject to probation.

On the other hand, under Barbers’ measure, bettors or any person who takes part in jueteng, masiao or other illegal numbers games would be meted a prison sentence ranging from six months to six years, and a fine ranging from P100,000 to P300,000.