PRESIDENT Rodrigo has expressed satisfaction over the operations of 21,173 lotto outlets nationwide, prompting him to order the resumption of the lottery game, Malacañang said on Wednesday, July 31.

"Sang-ayon sa kanya (Duterte), inimbestigahan niya at nakita niyang walang pag-labag sa batas, walang pag-labag sa mga patakaran na nakalahad sa pag-operate ng lotto," Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a radio interview.

(He said the investigation showed there is no violation of the law, there is no violation of any rules with regard to lotto operations.)

"Satisfied siya. Satisfied siya sa operation (He's satisfied. He's satisfied with the operation)," he added.

On July 26, Duterte ordered the suspension of all gaming activities operating under the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) due to "massive" corruption in the state gaming firm.

But on Tuesday, July 31, Duterte lifted the suspension of lotto operations in the country, saying the lottery game "remained untainted."

Following the President's latest directive, the PCSO announced in a statement that the resumption of Lotto draws "shall take effect today (Wednesday)", July 31.

"For those who are holding advanced Lotto tickets, please stay tuned in for the draw schedule announcements. Lotto draws that were suspended from July 27 to 30, 2019 shall proceed and will be conducted at the Official PCSO Draw Court at the PCSO Head Office," it said.

The rest of the PCSO-licensed games, such as the Small Town Lottery, Keno, and Peryahan ng Bayan, remain suspended, until Duterte's office completes the investigation into alleged illegal activities and corrupt practices in the agency.

The PCSO vowed that it would continue its endeavor to "fight and eradicate illegal gambling and corruption as the agency thrives in serving the public, especially those who are in dire need of help." (SunStar Philippines)