MANILA – The suspension of gaming operations of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) is expected to last until the government ends its investigation on the alleged massive corruption inside the state gaming regulator.
Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo on Monday said President Rodrigo Duterte will identify all personalities involved in the massive corruption within the PCSO “in due time.”
“Sa ngayon kasi sabi nga ni Presidente ini-imbistigahan niyang maigi. I-identify niya lahat. Until such time na hindi pa natatapos ‘yung imbestigasyon, sarado muna ‘yan,” Panelo said.
“Si Presidente naman mabilis, kita mo mabilis ang order niyang ipasarado,” he added. “I cannot give a definite timeline but I can assure the Filipinos of a swift investigation on the matter.”
Duterte ordered the shutting down of all PCSO gambling operations such as the lotto, Peryahan ng Bayan, small town lottery (STL), and Keno starting last Saturday.
Following the issuance of the order, the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines made rounds all over the country to ensure all Lotto outlets were closed.
“The ground is massive corruption involving all, pati the courts who repeatedly issued injunctions to paralyze the government and to allow corruption to thrive,” Duterte said.
“As of today, I will not honor any order from any court stopping us or enjoining us to stop our desire to go into a massive investigation for the massive corruption that is existing in the PCSO,” he added.
PCSO is a government-owned and controlled corporation under the Office of the President tasked to raise and provide funds for health programs./PN
