Mr. Ricardo S. Galing

July 12, 1993 Mr. Ricardo S. Galing Presidential Staff Director Office of the President Malacaang S i r : This refers to your 1st indorsement letter dated June 17, 1993 requesting comments on Resolution No. 13 series of 1993 of Zambales Integrated Livelihood Foundation (ZILF),Inc.,quoted as follows: "Resolution Urging And Requesting His Excellency President Fidel V. Ramos To Exercise His Presidential Prerogative To Proclaim Jueteng Legal And Put The Operation To Local Foundations And Cooperatives In Order To Generate Livelihood Financial Supports And Employment, In Particular." Under the Revised Penal Code as amended by P.D. 1602, "jueteng" is considered a crime against public morals, hence, it cannot be legally undertaken by anybody. In this connection, your attention is invited to the following provision of the Civil Code: "Administrative or executive acts, orders and regulations shall be valid only when they are not contrary to the laws or the Constitution. (Article 7) Thus, said activity cannot be legalized by mere Executive Order. The power to amend existing legislation resides in the "Legislature",the law making authority. Very truly yours, (SGD.) ROSARIO N. LOPEZ Chairman