ShareThisQUEZON CITY – The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is set to conduct a “lifestyle check” on government officials who have been linked to the illegal numbers game called “jueteng.”
BIR Commissioner Kim Jacinto-Henares told reporters in a press conference at the Department of Justice that the “lifestyle check” will be based on the list disclosed by retired Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz during the recent Senate hearing on the illegal numbers game.
With the lifestyle check, Henares explained that the BIR could figure out if the concerned government officials paid the government the right duties and taxes, and where their money came from.
Cruz has named Interior and Local Government Undersecretary Rico Puno and retired Philippine National Police chief Director General Jesus Verzosa as top beneficiaries who received payola from jueteng operators.
Catholic bishops, meanwhile, said government officials connected with operators of jueteng should be dismissed from their posts.
Caloocan Bishop Deogracias Iñiguez urged the Aquino administration to conduct an investigation and prosecute those behind the illegal lottery.
Early this week, retired Archbishop Oscar Cruz identified Puno and Verzosa as allegedly receiving jueteng payola.
“The Aquino administration should validate (Cruz’s claim) then follow the law on such involvement,” he said over Radyo Veritas 846, adding that, “Heads must roll.”
The anti-gambling crusader also revealed 10 more names during the senate investigation.
On the other hand, Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo seconded Iniguez statement, noting that Cruz’s expose should be a basis to put an end to the illegal numbers game.
He added that jueteng “corrupts the government.”
“After the expose, the government should follow the lead given, investigate and prosecute them,” Pabillo said.