Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Melquiades A. Robles has been elected Vice Chairman of the Asia Pacific Lottery Association (APLA), becoming the first Filipino to hold the prestigious leadership position in the regional lottery organization.
Robles was elected during the 2026 APLA General Assembly held from September 1 to 4, 2026, in Seoul, South Korea. He will serve a two-year term until 2028.
His election marks another historic milestone for the Philippines in the international lottery sector.
In September 2024, Robles became the first Filipino elected to the APLA Executive Committee during the association’s Regional Conference in Hanoi, Vietnam.
His elevation to vice chairman reflected the growing recognition of the transparency and integrity of the Philippines and PCSO among lottery organizations across the Asia-Pacific region, as well as the country’s commitment to transparent, ethical, and responsible lottery operations.
Under Robles’ leadership, PCSO advanced from Level 1 to Level 3 accreditation under the World Lottery Association’s Responsible Gaming Framework in a record three years.
This notable feat among APLA members demonstrates how the agency translated its commitment to responsible gaming into structured programs, dedicated resources, player-protection measures, and internationally aligned practices focused on integrity and ethical operations.
“This is not only a personal honor but, more importantly, a recognition of the Philippines and the meaningful work being undertaken by PCSO,” Robles said.
“Through this position, we hope to contribute more actively to regional cooperation, responsible gaming, innovation, and the use of lottery revenues to uplift communities.”
Founded in 2000, APLA is one of the five regional associations of the World Lottery Association.
It represents lottery operators and industry partners from the Asia-Pacific region and provides a platform through which members exchange knowledge, share international best practices, and work together on issues affecting the global lottery industry.
The association currently represents 21 full members from 12 countries and 26 associate members from 13 countries across Asia, Europe, and North America.
Robles’ election gives PCSO and the Philippines a stronger voice in discussions on responsible gaming, technological innovation, lottery security, industry integrity, and the use of lottery-generated funds for public benefit.
It also creates further opportunities for PCSO to learn from international best practices and share its experience as a government lottery institution with a distinct charitable and social mandate.
Among the principles promoted by APLA and the World Lottery Association is responsible gaming, an approach that seeks to ensure that lottery games are conducted fairly, safely, and transparently while protecting players, particularly minors and vulnerable individuals, from the potential risks associated with excessive gambling.
It includes measures such as age restrictions, clear information for players, spending and play controls, self-exclusion mechanisms, and access to appropriate support services.
“Lotteries must always be operated with responsibility and a clear public purpose. Our role is not simply to generate revenues but to ensure that these resources are translated into healthcare assistance, social services, and other programs that improve people’s lives,” Robles said.
APLA likewise recognizes the important contribution of lotteries to society and good causes.
Across the region, member organizations use lottery proceeds to support healthcare, education, community development, sports, culture, disaster response, charitable initiatives, and other social programs.
This closely aligns with PCSO’s mandate as the Philippine government’s principal charity arm.
Revenues generated from its lottery and sweepstakes operations help finance medical assistance, health-related programs, mandatory contributions to national government initiatives, support for local government units, and assistance to communities affected by calamities and other emergencies.
“PCSO’s participation in APLA allows us to bring home valuable lessons from other jurisdictions while also showing the international community how lottery revenues can become a meaningful instrument for charity and nation-building,” Robles added.
The 2026 APLA General Assembly gathered lottery leaders and industry experts from across the region under the theme “Sustainable Gaming and Innovation, New Trends.” Discussions covered responsible gaming policies, emerging technologies, sustainable lottery operations, and evolving global industry trends.
