THE Philippine Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) said it will conclude its investigation against some 15 former and current personnel supposedly involved in corruption in either October or November.
In a press conference with Palace reporters on Wednesday, August 14, PACC Commissioner Greco Belgica said it was Malacañang which submitted the names of the erstwhile and incumbent PCSO board members, managers, and agents who should be investigated.
Belgica noted that former PCSO general manager Alexander Balutan was among those under investigation.
"In our own record, we have 15 [names of PCSO's former and current personnel who are under probe]. So we will investigate the names," Belgica said.
"Tapusin natin ang PCSO in two months or three (Let's finish the investigation into supposed corruption within the PCSO in two months or three)," he added.
Belgica said the 15 PCSO worker will undergo lifestyle check as they hold "critical" and "important" positions.
The PACC was prompted to conduct an investigation against allegedly corrupt PCSO officials and employees after Duterte on July 26 ordered the suspension of all games operated by the state gaming firm, including lotto, Small Town Lottery (STL), Keno, and Peryahan ng Bayan, because of "massive" corruption.
Duterte, however, lifted on July 31 the suspension of lotto operations in the country since the lottery game "remained untainted."
The rest of the PCSO-licensed games are still non-operational and their fate depends on the results of the investigation.
Malacañang earlier said the President is ready to identify at least 10 PCSO officials who are involved in corruption. (SunStar Philippines)