Creation of Task Force "Anti-Bookies"

June 30, 1978

LETTER OF INSTRUCTIONS NO. 717

WHEREAS, the Government is losing considerable revenues in view of the proliferation of illegally operated bookie joints; cdt

WHEREAS, these revenues could be substantially utilized to benefit various charitable institutions and civic projects and other development-oriented programs;

WHEREAS, such forms of illegal betting and other pernicious activities have adversely affected the tourism appeal of the amusement games and have been found to be inimical to the up-bringing of the youth.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President and Prime Minister of the Philippines, do hereby order the creation of Task Force "Anti-Bookies" to effectively combat and prevent the existence and proliferation of illegal bookie joints and other illegal forms of organized gambling on amusement games.

This Task force shall be under the general supervision of the Commission on Jai-Alai Affairs, Games and Amusements Board (GAB), who is hereby authorized to appoint and employ as many personnel as he shall deem necessary, at least two-thirds (2/3) of whom shall be drawn "on detail" from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Constabulary, Integrated National Police and other agencies of the Government. The Commissioner on Jai-Alai Affairs is likewise hereby authorized to make lateral coordination with government entities concerned. cd

The amount of P1,477,244.00 is hereby set aside from the three and one-half per centum (3 1/2%) special project allotment under Section 4 of Presidential Decree No. 810 dated October 16, 1975, as amended, to constitute the initial fund for the operation of the Task Force.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 30th day of June, in the year of Our Lord, Nineteen Hundred and Seventy-Eight.