BM VIERNA MAE “MIMI” BONIEL
By DAVE SUAN ALBARADO
Bohol Board Member Mimi Boniel has called for an investigation into the alleged involvement of some provincial officials in the illegal numbers game called “swertres” here.
In a privilege speech delivered on February 13, 2024, Boniel said she received a letter from Teofesto Cabagnot Jr., a former military officer and war veteran, who denied that he was into the illegal swertres game, as claimed by some sectors, including the Capitol.
Cabagnot said he personally went to the Office of the Provincial Administrator to confirm those listed by name as the players of illegal swertres, and denied that he was one of them.
He also said that he applied for a Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) franchise for legal swertres, and that he was issued a Certification of No Objection (CONO) by Governor Aris Aumentado on August 3, 2023.
He then requested that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) conduct an inquiry into the illegal swertres game and investigate the people close to the Bohol Provincial Capitol.
Cabagnot said he was ready to testify on the controversy.
The controversy over the alleged involvement of Bohol Capitol officials in illegal gambling operations erupted after Gov. Aris Aumentado and his relative, “Titoy” Cabagnot, traded accusations on social media and radio programs.
Days before Bohol whistleblower Ronnie Orillosa accused Aumentado of alleged corruption and playing servant to his alleged seven shadow governors, Cabagnot came out in the open and also exposed the Capitol’s backing of “swertres”, an illegal numbers game, in Bohol.
Cabagnot said he had already talked to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and revealed the names of the people behind the illegal gambling.
Cabagnot also challenged anyone interested in knowing the truth to ask him, saying he was ready to spill the beans.
He accused the Capitol of being greedy, abusive, vindictive, and corrupt, and said he was being made a scapegoat by the authorities.
On the other hand, in her speech during the regular session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP), Boniel said it “behooves upon the provincial board to look into the (swertres controversy) and launch an investigation in aid of legislation in the interest of public service and transparency.”
She moved that the concern be referred to the Committee on Peace and Order and Public Safety for further action.
The motion was also seconded by BM Aldner Damalerio and BM Jala, and approved by the SP without objections.
Meanwhile, Gov. Aumentado has dismissed Cabagnot’s allegations as baseless and malicious, saying he was the one who actually wanted to operate illegal gambling in Bohol.
He said Cabagnot approached him when he assumed office in 2022 and suggested that there were people close to him who were running the illegal gambling.
The governor said he refused to entertain Cabagnot’s proposal and vowed to never allow illegal gambling to flourish in the province.
He said the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) had authorized small town lotteries (STL) to operate legally in Bohol.
He also questioned Cabagnot’s credibility and motive, saying he was not a genuine whistleblower but a disgruntled relative who had an agenda against him.
He said Cabagnot was not even a close kin, but a distant cousin.
Aumentado also accused Cabagnot of creating a “scenario” where illegal gambling persisted, and implicating several of his staff and alleged allies with the illegal activity, including former Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr., former officials of the police and military, and former Loboc mayor Leon Calipusan.
He said Cabagnot was just dropping names to pressure him into allowing him to run the illegal gambling.
“Ang tinuod, iyang ipandawit ang mga pangalan, aron ma-pressure ko sa iyang hangyo nga siya’y moda sa maong gambling,” the governor quipped.
Aumentado said he was totally against any form of illegal gambling in Bohol, and that it was possible that some rogue operators were using his name or the names of his staff for protection from getting prosecuted.
According to a social media post being circulated online, the financier of the illegal gambling operations in Bohol is a former congressman in Mindanao and one of the owners of a food business. He is also a cousin of Aumentado through the Borja-Cabagnot-Cacho clan.
The report said that the former congressman controlled two operators, Evasco and a certain Evangelista. Evasco is a consultant of Aumentado and also works at the Capitol, while Evangelista is another cousin of Aumentado.
The report said that Evasco’s operations covered the municipalities of Loon, Calape, Maribojoc, Antequera, Catigbian, Loboc, Bilar, and Carmen, with his runners being Winston Pagaura, a certain Onat, Jade, and Nick.
Evangelista, on the other hand, allegedly operated in the municipalities and city of Tagbilaran, Panglao, Dauis, Baclayon, Albur, Sikatuna, Corella, and Ubay, with his associates being retired general and a major in military.
The report also said that Aumentado, together with his right hand and bag man named Nelson, was the alleged payola protector of the illegal gambling operations, and that the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), the Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB), and the NBI were allegedly under his command.
The report said that a police major was aware of the operation but allegedly received payola from the suertres operation.
The report also said that another former congressman, Nonoy, had already complained about the operation in Bohol, since the sharing agreement was changed by Evasco and his group.
Evasco and the Mindanao congressman were no longer in good terms, the report said.
The report further said that most of the mayors and chiefs of police in Bohol were allegedly receiving payola share from the illegal suertres, and that most of the runners were Aumentado’s relatives.
As this developed, Aumentado issued marching orders to the NBI to probe those who were allegedly involved with illegal gambling operations here.
He also issued a stern warning to chiefs of police that he would ship out of Bohol those officials who were unable to stop illegal gambling operations.