NEWSFLASH

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LOTTO INVADES CARDINAL SIN'S HOME PROVINCE

Kalibo, Aklan, Nov. 24, 1997 - Lotto has started invading Aklan, home province of Jaime Cardinal Sin, a staunch opponent of the government-run lottery.

In the capital town of Kalibo, two lotto outlets opened last week, much to the surprise of local government officials and the church hierarchy. Bishop Gabriel Reyes of the diocese of Kalibo, Aklan Governor Florencio Miraflores and Representative Allen Quimpo had earlier vowed to fight the entry of lotto into the province.

Local residents, however, support the lotto. Surveys conducted by a radio station showed that residents favor the lottery. Long queues have been seen in front of the outlets daily since their opening.

The Court of Appeals, last November 7, ruled that local governments have no authority to bar the opening of lotto outlets in their jurisdiction, and that only the national government, through the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, has the power to issue licensees or permits for the operations of the on-line lottery.

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