DILG conducting survey among LGUs on ‘jueteng’ controversy

TARLAC CITY — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is conducting a survey among local government units (LGUs) to feel the pulse of political leaders and government employees on the raging jueteng controversy hounding the Estrada administration.

Meanwhile, the city’s mayor, Gelacio Manalang, is back here after a week-long stay in Manila where he did a "Chavit," accusing former Tarlac Rep. Jose "Peping" Cojuangco Jr. of being a "jueteng lord" during the term of his sister, former President Corazon Aquino. Cojuangco has denied the allegations.

Last Monday, Manalang conducted a "loyalty check" among people close to him, including members of the city council.

The DILG survey, being circulated among all government offices, including those of elective officials, public schools and government-owned corporations, has three questions.

The survey’s first question is, "What is the prevailing opinion or perception of the people about the ongoing government scandal on jueteng?"

The second question is, "What are the actions, moves and plans of the oppositionists of the President?" and the third, "What are (your) proposition to neutralize the opposition and the negative perception of the public regarding the government scandal?"

The militant Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) in Tarlac said the survey "is very dangerous," pointing out that the second question "smells of a move to spy on government workers and elected local political leaders taking part in the Oust Erap Movement."

"It is obvious that the survey is not only meant at feeling the pulse of the people, but also a scheme to gather information on the next moves of the local political opposition and people’s organizations," the group added.

Meanwhile, Manalang has been avoiding local mediamen seeking further statements from him on his exposé.

The mayor has instead conducted a loyalty check among the city councilors as talks ran wild that he would be summoned by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee this week to shed light on his allegations.

Manalang will reportedly be meeting Cojuangco face-to-face in the Senate hearing.

The mayor claimed to have received jueteng protection money from a top executive of the Cojuangco-owned Hacienda Luisita.

As this developed, Vice Gov. Herminio Aquino, provincial chairman of the Lakas-NUCD-Kampi, has remained silent on the outcome of his own loyalty check among members of the local opposition party.

His office said the meeting of local Lakas politicians "was well-attended" and that they would rally "anytime" behind Mrs. Aquino’s call for Mr. Estrada to resign.