Question & AnswerQ&A (Republic Act No. 9287)
The State aims to promote a just and dynamic social order that ensures national prosperity and independence, freeing people from poverty through adequate social services, full employment, improved living standards, and economic opportunities based on initiative and self-reliance. The State condemns illegal numbers games as social menaces and corruption sources and adopts stringent measures to stop and eradicate them.
An Illegal Numbers Game is any form of illegal gambling activity using numbers or combinations thereof as factors in giving out jackpots.
Jueteng is an illegal numbers game involving the combination of 37 or 38 numbers from 1 to 37 or 38 respectively, serving as local lottery bets placed and accepted per combination, including its variants.
A bettor shall suffer imprisonment from 30 days to 90 days.
They shall suffer imprisonment from fourteen (14) years and one (1) day to sixteen (16) years.
Possession of any gambling paraphernalia and other materials used in illegal numbers game operations is considered prima facie evidence of an offense under the Act.
They face imprisonment from twelve (12) years and one (1) day to twenty (20) years, a fine of P3,000,000 to P5,000,000, and perpetual absolute disqualification from holding public office.
The penalty next higher in degree than the penalty prescribed in Section 3 will be imposed on recidivists.
Persons who serve as government witnesses or provide evidence in cases of violation of the Act are immune from criminal prosecution subject to compliance with Presidential Decree No. 1732 and the Rules of Court.