Duterte stops lotto, other PCSO games over 'massive' corruption

SunStar File
SunStar File

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the immediate stoppage of all gaming activities of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), including lotto because of alleged "massive" corruption in the agency.

Duterte gave the directive in a video message uploaded on the Facebook page of the Presidential Communications Operations Office at nearly 11 p.m. Friday, July 26.

"I have today ordered the closure, the stoppage of all gaming schemes of whatever nature, however done, that got their franchises to do so from the PCSO," Duterte said in his special message,

"The ground is massive corruption involving all [gaming activities], pati (and even) the courts [that] repeatedly issued injunctions to paralyze government and to allow corruption to thrive," he added.

His order covers lotto, small town lottery (STL), Peryahan ng Bayan, and Keno, among others.

The President said his directive is effective as of Friday.

"Pending investigation, lahat ho ng laro ng lotto, STL, Peryahan ng Bayan or whatever nature. There’s one, ‘yung gambling machine, Keno. I said all gaming activities, ‘yung gambling that got their franchise from government through PCSO are as of today suspended or terminated because of massive corruption. Wala ako magawa (I have no choice). I have to do it," he said.

"I will not honor transactions that are clearly on the side of, you know, scheming people, the Republic of the Philippines, of the money due it. Puro dayaan lahat at ‘yung mga kontrata ay parang (There's cheating there and all contracts seem to be) crafted in favor of corruption and to favor other corporations and people. I will not allow it," Duterte added.

Duterte gave a 24-hour deadline for the removal of gaming and gambling materials of the PCSO gaming schemes in public places.

He likewise directed Philippine National Police chief General Oscar Albayalde and Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief-of-Staff Benjamin Madrigal Jr. to ensure the enforcement of his order.

"I will give them 24 hours to remove them from the public places. Tomorrow, beginning tomorrow, at sunrise everything, all transactions and gaming, wager of bets becomes illegal," Duterte said.

"And I am, I said, ordering the PNP -- the PNP Chief Albayalde to arrest anybody. And goes also for the military, si Madrigal, to arrest people engaged in gambling activities in connection with the franchises, licenses, concessions granted by the PCSO," he added.

In a statement on Saturday, July 27, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Duterte was "outraged" by the discovery of the "plunderous machinations of these scoundrels whose insatiable greed is infinite and beyond redemption."

Panelo said that in "due time," the President would identify those who are involved in corrupt activities.

"It appears that there is a grand conspiracy among the major players and enforcers of these government- sanctioned gaming activities and enterprises to cheat the government of its rightful shares, depriving therefore the masses of our people of receiving basic services needed by them," the Palace official said.

"The Chief Executive will identify the culprits in due time and the full force of the law will come crushing down on them. This hydra-headed corruption will be cut off until it reproduces no more," he added.

Panelo said Duterte's order may serve as a "stern" warning to government workers, as well as all the enemies of the state, that "the Duterte presidency will be unrelenting in its war against corruption and unforgiving to the transgressors of the law."

"The President shall continue to brandish the flaming sword of his office and strike it at the heart of this social and political monstrous dragon," he said. (SunStar Philippines)

Trending

No stories found.

Just in

No stories found.

Branded Content

No stories found.
SunStar Publishing Inc.
www.sunstar.com.ph