Without naming names, MalacaƱang said some local government officials are involved in the corruption in the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).
Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo made the statement amid government investigation of alĀleged massive corruption in the agencyās sanctioned gaming schemes including the Peryahan ng Bayan, Small-Town Lottery (STL), and Keno.
In an interview over ANC late Tuesday, Panelo reassured that President Duterte will name all perĀsonalities involved in what MalacaƱang called a āgrand conspiracyā to cheat the government of its shares in the PCSO.
āThe President in due time will identify the culprits. Not only officials but major players and participants of the gaming operations including, perhaps, court persons,ā he said.
The Palace official also said that there are other personalities like local government officials involved in the corruption and that they will also be named when the time comes.
āThere is an ongoing investigation, so letās just wait for the final result,ā Panelo said.
Duterte ordered the suspension of the operations of gaming schemes sanctioned by the PCSO last week due to massive corruption.
Late Tuesday, lotto operations were allowed.
The rest of all gaming operations with franĀchises, licenses or permits such as STL, Keno and Peryahan ng Bayan (PNB) are still suspended pending the investigation of illegal activities and corrupt practices and until the Office of the PresiĀdent evaluates the results of its probe.
āAccording to the Executive Secretary, the susĀpension for the lotto operations has been lifted because investigators found no anomalies in the conduct of its operations, its sanctity remained untainted and the regulatory rules have been folĀlowed,ā Panelo said.
āFranchise holders and operators of lotto outlets may now resume with their operations. The lifting of the suspension of lotto operations takes effect immediately,ā he added.
Earlier, MalacaƱang assured of a swift and thorĀough investigation on the alleged corruption in the PCSO. (Argyll Geducos)