Cited Laws
Accordingly, in the selection of areas where the small-town lottery will be run, the previous existence and/or operation of illegal numbers games in the locality was a factor that is taken into consideration along with the projected viability of the small-town lottery operation in the area. Through Resolution No. 123, Series of 2006, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Laguna allowed the PCSO, through respondent Ramloid, to conduct small-town lottery operations in Laguna in view of its potential benefits to petitioner's constituents. Initially, respondent Ramloid was authorized to conduct an actual test run pursuant to the "Authority to Conduct Actual Test Run for Small Town Lottery Project" with the PCSO dated March 29, 2006. [66] Under the deed of Authority, respondent Ramloid was required to submit to the PCSO chairman or general manager test run reports on volume sales and other financial matters and a complete list of personnel and their number per area of operation in order to determine the viability of the lottery "in terms of its potential as a source of charity fund and its strength to eliminate permanently the illegal numbers game[.]" [67] Later, respondent Ramloid was allowed to continue with its operations subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the rules and regulations governing small-town lottery approved by the PCSO Board. Pertinent to the period involved in this case, the October 2010 STL Rules require strict compliance by respondent Ramloid with its obligations and duties under Section 16, including the submission of the list of personnel and provision of identification cards to all its employees. Section 16 enumerates these duties and responsibilities as follows: Section 16. The Agent shall, in the conduct of its operation have, among others, the following duties and responsibilities: a. Sell STL Tickets for the STL games and other PCSO lottery products, as may be mandated or authorized, only to individuals eighteen (18) years and above. No bet must be accepted from minors whether in their own behalf or that of another. b. Provide its sales force and other employees with PCSO-prescribed uniforms and Identification cards which must be strictly worn and prominently displayed when they are on duty. c. Furnish the PCSO, Department of Interior and Local Government, Philippine National Police, the concerned local government unit and other offices as may be mandated, a list of its sales force and employees, indicating and corresponding identification numbers and specimen signatures. Any addition and/or subtraction from said list must be submitted to said parties within twenty-four (24) hours from the effectivity of the same. d. Use HHTs for the recording of bets, printing of Tickets and on-line transmission of recorded bets. Should no HHT be available or operable, due to the lack of technical facilities, the Agent shall use the pre-printed Tickets, as designed by the PCSO, in such manner as prescribed. The supervisor shall send