Gambling News by Gambling Headquarters

An alleged maintainer of an illegal gambling outfit codenamed "Ching", who is a relative of top government officials in Negros Occidental, was sentenced yesterday to a maximum six-year imprisonment term after he pleaded guilty for violating Republic Act 9287, also known as the amended anti-illegal gambling law. Meted such penalty by Kabankalan Regional Trial Court Judge Henry Arles after having been found guilty beyond reasonable doubt was Vicente Zayco, alias Nene Pinoy. Arles also sentenced Zayco's four companions identified as Renato Garcia, Gene Gomez, Val Sanchez and Randy Jompilla, all bet solicitors of the illegal gambling outfit "Ching", to a maximum of three years of imprisonment. The Oct. 20 raid at the residential compound of Zayco, a first cousin of Vice Governor Isidro Zayco and Kabankalan City Mayor Pedro Zayco, was conducted by virtue of search warrants issued by Judge Roberto Chiongson. It yielded P2,553 in alleged cash bets, assorted gambling paraphernalia, ammunition of various calibers of firearms and an ICOM hand-held radio. Arles said the accused, assisted by their counsel, Alex Abastillas, pleaded guilty to the offense, which was done voluntary on their part, and not through threats or intimidation, induced by any prize or reward. Vice Governor Zayco and Mayor Zayco earlier said they are keeping their hands off the illegal gambling case involving their cousin. Mayor Zayco who is against any form of illegal numbers game, had also warned Vicente several times in the past to put a stop to his illegal activities. Supt. Roderick Alba, Kabankalan police chief, said the court also issued an order placing the convicted persons under the custody of their counsel, pending approval of their application for probation.