‘No closure order’ for STL Negros operations

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

SUPER Lucky Beaglers Inc., the franchisee of Small Town Lottery (STL) operations in Negros Occidental, debunked earlier reports that the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) ordered the closure of STL operations in the province allegedly for violations of rules and regulations in running the numbers game.

“For the general knowledge, please be informed that as of this date PCSO Management has not issued any order for the cessation of STL operation in the Province of Negros,” stated an untitled certification from PCSO dated February 13.

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The faxed copy of the certification was signed by Janet B. Fabiaña of the PCSO Iloilo District Office and was furnished Monday to Sun.Star Bacolod by Atty. Joel Dojillo, counsel of Super Lucky Beaglers.

On the other hand, PCSO General Manager Atty. Jose Ferdinand Rojas told Sun.Star that PCSO is currently evaluating the alleged violations committed by STL operators all over the country.

Rojas also clarified that STL will not close by February 15, 2012 as reported.

He said they have sent letters to all STL operators last January 16 to explain certain alleged violations by all STL operators.

Operators were given 15 days to clarify some issues regarding their compliance with the Implementing Rules and Regulations.

“And all of them have already complied and we are just evaluating their answers,” Rojas said.

“STL will remain its operation until such time that the Loterya ng Bayan will be implemented,” he assured.

Rojas said PCSO is looking at all the reports of the STL operators, particularly of their remittances to check if the remittances are below what operators are supposed to remit.

“But I think for Bacolod (Negros Occidental), if I am not mistaken, they have remitted around P30 million plus a month as gross revenue. But I am not sure of the exact figures because I don’t have the records right now. I believe that they have been reporting gross revenue of around P30 to P35 million a month,” Rojas said.

He added that the violations can be corrected or, in some serious cases, the violations can lead to the closure of STL operations but he pointed out the decision will depend on the operators’ explanations, as PCSO is still evaluating all of their explanation.

“We don’t want to issue any statement until we have finalized our evaluation,” he said.

He also reported that the Loterya ng Bayan will be launched in the next month or so by PCSO.

He added STL operator in Negros also applied for the Loterya ng Bayan operation in the province, manifesting the intention to convert STL operation to Loterya ng Bayan.

“But all of them will be subject to evaluation,” he said.

Rojas explained that the change from STL to Loterya ng Bayan is prompted by PCSO’s drive for a more re- enhanced and energized program.

“It will be automated, online. There will be a pre-funded quota and at the same time stricter monitoring. Whatever minor flaws that the STL operation had, we will try to correct them,” he assured. (Carla N. Canet/Butch S. Bacaoco)