Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) board member Sandra Cam believes that corruption in the Small Town Lottery (STL) in the country has not stopped despite President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to lift the suspension of its operation under certain conditions.

“It’s just like a legalized jueteng,” Cam said.  

This prompted the official to recommend the transfer of the operation of STL to the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor).

She added that it is still safe to just have the lotto operation remain under the PCSO to help rid the agency of corruption.

 “Ibigay na lang sa PAGCOR because gambling naman talaga ang PAGCOR and STL is a gambling [Give the STL to Pagcor because it is really gambling],” Cam added.

Cam also said that she is ready to name the high-ranking officials who are also members of the PCSO board of directors who are involved in corruption in the agency on Tuesday’s scheduled Congressional hearing.

Cam insists that some former officials of the PCSO were also involved in the corruption in the STL operation.

She added that several generals were given permits to operate STL even if they did not pay cash bonds to PCSO.

“I’m not against the military. I’m not against the PNP. I have a lot of friends there. But I don’t like the way the mistahs of General Corpuz and General Balutan na parang ginawa nila, ang PCSO is a private company [who seemed to have made PCSO a private company],” Cam said.

Meanwhile, Cam said that she is also ready to undergo the lifestyle check that the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) will conduct to all PCSO board members brought about by the corruption allegations.

“Ang masasabi ko doon sa mga critics ko [All I can say to my critics is] that I have a 500 million (worth) resort, you can go — I will invite you for free. You check out my place, it’s just a kubo [nipa hut]. Ang aming mga houses doon, cottages are made of kubo [Our houses, cottages there are made of nipa hut],” she added.

Cam further said that she is willing to resign if the corruption issues inside the PCSO will not be resolved within three to four months. (from the report of Harlene Delgado) /mbmf

MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte is set to identify less than 10 officials allegedly involved in the “massive corruption” in the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), a Malacañang official said on Thursday.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the President mentioned this during a speech at the joint anniversary celebration of the National Security Council and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency on Wednesday night.

However, Panelo said the chief executive did not elaborate on the issue, adding that the public should just wait for further announcements.

This comes after Duterte ordered the immediate suspension of all PCSO gaming operations over the supposed corruption in the agency. More than 30,000 gaming outlets were shut down over the weekend following his order.

On Tuesday, the president lifted the halt of lotto operations but suspension on small-town lottery (STL), Keno and Peryahan ng Bayan operations remain until the investigation has been concluded.

Presidential Anti-Corruption Commissioner Greco Belgica, meanwhile, said investigation is underway on PCSO officials linked to corruption including the agency’s former general manager Alexander Balutan.

Belgica added that PCSO officials will also be subjected to lifestyle checks.

“No one (is) exempted, no one will be spared from the top down,” he said. (with details from Rosalie Coz)

MANILA, Philippines – Recoboda Party-list Rep. Godofredo Guya on Thursday (August 1) asked officials of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) to file a voluntary leave of absence while the investigation on the alleged corruption within the agency rolls on.

 “We should ask them that they should voluntary…mag-leave muna sila (to take a leave for now),” Guya said.

“Kung ayaw nilang umalis, nakakahiya sa taumbayan, (If they refuse to leave, it would be unethical),” he added.

Guya’s call was to ensure that those involved wouldn’t have the chance to influence the result of the investigation.

The lawmaker also supports the publication of the names involved in the controversy.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives (HOR) wants an immediate start of the probe.

The House Committee on Games and Amusement is planning to call the former and the current officials of the state-run gaming service to hear their explanation on the matter.

“Magkakaroon po kami ng pagpupulong para nga talaga bilisan agad ang pagpapatawag ng congressional inquiry para magkaroon ng imbestigasyon ang kongreso sa massive corruption sa PCSO, (We will set up a meeting to discuss how to expedite the congressional inquiry on the massive corruption in PCSO),” said Committee member ACT-CIS party-list Rep. Niña Taduran.

So far, the Lower House has received two resolutions seeking an investigation on the alleged irregularities inside the PCSO.

The PCSO, for its part, assured to cooperate with the probe. – (MNP with details from Grace Casin)