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Arroyo orders crackdown on gambling after rumors

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo yesterday ordered police to intensify a campaign against illegal gambling amid accusations that her family has received bribes from operators.

Arroyo ordered authorities to "strictly implement the law" against illegal gambling and to remind the public of the punishment for violators, the presidential office said in a statement announcing the "all-out war" against illegal numbers games.

"It is the president's firm belief that the legal mechanisms needed to stop illegal gambling are in place, and that political will at all levels must be exercised to ensure that the provisions of [the law] are indeed being carried out," the statement said.

Presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye earlier dismissed as rumors the alleged links between operators of a popular numbers game known as jueteng and Arroyo's husband, lawyer Jose Miguel Arroyo, and son, Representative Juan Miguel Arroyo, but said the president has ordered an investigation into the allegations and file charges if warranted.

He said Arroyo will not support moves to legalize jueteng.

"It is clear in the president's view that jueteng is an illegal operation and she has no intention of supporting moves to legalize jueteng operations," Bunye told RMN radio Saturday.

Arroyo's husband and son have repeatedly denied receiving bribes.

The president has also been dogged by suspicion that she has received election campaign contributions from a suspected jueteng operator in her northern home province of Pampanga.

Filipinos have become sensitive to reports linking top officials to illegal gambling after allegations that Arroyo's predecessor, Joseph Estrada, received money from illegal gambling operators, contributing to his ouster four years ago. Estrada, who faces capital plunder charges, has denied any wrongdoing.

Presidential Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said Friday the allegations could be part of a plot to destabilize the government. He did not identify possible plotters.
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