We’ve never been to Mandaue, Cebu, in the Philippines but in talking to people that have been there, we’ve come out with the impression that the city is a swell place to go to. But recent developments in Mandaue seem to suggest that we’re no closer to going there now than we have in the past.

That’s because according to the Manila Bulletin, the Mandaue City Police Office, together with the 27 barangays that comprise the city have recently signed a “covenant” in their collective mission to turn the city into a “gambling-free society.” First of all, we haven’t seen the word ‘covenant’ used in this kind of context except in the movies. Were there ceremonial rites done before you signed the covenant? Did it involve the use of blood as ink?

In all seriousness, this gambling-free society may have its own merits in the eyes of the people there, but we can’t even begin to fathom living in a society that’s effectively expunged any form of gambling. What, we can’t make bets on who can climb the coconut tree faster?

MCPO Director Senior Supt. Petronelli Baldebrin is leading the movement to effectively eradicate all forms of “illegal” gambling in the city, particularly cock-fighting, heads or tails, and mahjong.

So this guy wants to eradicate “illegal” gambling, which at face value, leaves a lot to interpretation. Does that mean that people can gamble on mundane things like the aforementioned tree climbing for a swig of soda? That’s not illegal, is it?

If so, how does that reflect on their mission for Mandaue to be a “gambling-free society”?

Don’t get us wrong; we applaud the move to curb illegal gambling everywhere. Not just in Mandaue City. But to throw out vague phrases like “gambling-free society” is both confusing and perplexing. Do away with the illegal games, but don’t treat, or at least make it sound like gambling, per-se, is a plague.

It’s fun, you know, provided it’s on the up-and-up.