ANGELES CITY – An American businessman assailed the alleged ram-pant extortion activities in entertainment bars here, adding that Mayor Francis “Blueboy” Nepomuceno has “knowledge” of it.
“The mayor has knowledge of it (extortion). If he wants, he can stop it. Use your common sense in determining who is behind the extortion,” said Jim Dale, former president of the Hotels and Restaurants Association in Pampanga (HRAP), and current chief executive officer of the Hotel La Casa Pension in Clarkview Subdivision, here.
Dale was asked by media of his opinion on the so-called “Jojo Group” which allegedly extorts money from businessmen in Fields Avenue, Barangay Balibago and other nearby areas. He attended the first tourism summit led by Balibago Village Chief Rodelio “Tony” Mamac on Monday.
Dale said the bar owners and entertainers had been “hurt and affected” by the extortion activities perpetrated by the Jojo Group.
“They charge P200 per person smear fee since last year and it was without receipt or city ordinance. The money doesn’t go to the coffers of the city government,” said Dale.
Dale added that the Jojo Group now collects monthly taxes from bar owners here.
Asked if he they had brought the problem to Nepomuceno, Dale said “you could not see the mayor.”
Mamac, for his part, said the “Jojo Group engaging in illegal acts, intimidation, harassment and extortion practices on bar women and forcing some multi-million investors to transfer into other areas and some internet websites and cybersex sites have portrayed a bad image of the entertainment industry as a hindrance in their effort to develop the area and change the image of the barangay.”
“Sa ilalim ng aking administration, I will not let graft and corruption happen and we will not be party to anything that will intimidate and harass investors and business partners. All we can offer is honest leadership and responsible government,” added Mamac in a press statement issued during the summit at the Balibago barangay hall.
Mamac assailed the city government for “inaction to act on the media expose and complaints from women and business sectors.”
“It’s quite unfortunate that the city government remains silent on this issue, women are abused through the exorbitant smear fees imposed by them,” he added.
Mamac said the “insensitivity of the city government to the women entertainers and business owners is contrary to the principles of the month long Women’s Month celebration in the country. “
Mamac invited Regional Director Ronald Tiotuico of the Department of Tourism as guest of honor and speaker in the summit.
Tiotuico, for his part, said he urged officials and businessmen to transform the image of Angeles from “sin city” to “wholesome entertainment and investment haven.” Other local and foreign businessmen in this city were also invited.
Retired police general Conrado Briton of the Central Luzon Drug Rehabilitation Center also graced the summit.
“The mayor has knowledge of it (extortion). If he wants, he can stop it. Use your common sense in determining who is behind the extortion,” said Jim Dale, former president of the Hotels and Restaurants Association in Pampanga (HRAP), and current chief executive officer of the Hotel La Casa Pension in Clarkview Subdivision, here.
Dale was asked by media of his opinion on the so-called “Jojo Group” which allegedly extorts money from businessmen in Fields Avenue, Barangay Balibago and other nearby areas. He attended the first tourism summit led by Balibago Village Chief Rodelio “Tony” Mamac on Monday.
Dale said the bar owners and entertainers had been “hurt and affected” by the extortion activities perpetrated by the Jojo Group.
“They charge P200 per person smear fee since last year and it was without receipt or city ordinance. The money doesn’t go to the coffers of the city government,” said Dale.
Dale added that the Jojo Group now collects monthly taxes from bar owners here.
Asked if he they had brought the problem to Nepomuceno, Dale said “you could not see the mayor.”
Mamac, for his part, said the “Jojo Group engaging in illegal acts, intimidation, harassment and extortion practices on bar women and forcing some multi-million investors to transfer into other areas and some internet websites and cybersex sites have portrayed a bad image of the entertainment industry as a hindrance in their effort to develop the area and change the image of the barangay.”
“Sa ilalim ng aking administration, I will not let graft and corruption happen and we will not be party to anything that will intimidate and harass investors and business partners. All we can offer is honest leadership and responsible government,” added Mamac in a press statement issued during the summit at the Balibago barangay hall.
Mamac assailed the city government for “inaction to act on the media expose and complaints from women and business sectors.”
“It’s quite unfortunate that the city government remains silent on this issue, women are abused through the exorbitant smear fees imposed by them,” he added.
Mamac said the “insensitivity of the city government to the women entertainers and business owners is contrary to the principles of the month long Women’s Month celebration in the country. “
Mamac invited Regional Director Ronald Tiotuico of the Department of Tourism as guest of honor and speaker in the summit.
Tiotuico, for his part, said he urged officials and businessmen to transform the image of Angeles from “sin city” to “wholesome entertainment and investment haven.” Other local and foreign businessmen in this city were also invited.
Retired police general Conrado Briton of the Central Luzon Drug Rehabilitation Center also graced the summit.
