Without naming names, Malacañang 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 alleged massive corruption in the agency’s 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 personalities involved in what Malacañang called a “grand conspiracy” to cheat the government of its shares in the PCSO.
“The President in due time will identify the culprits. Not only officials but major players and participants of the gaming operations including, perhaps, court persons,” 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.
“There is an ongoing investigation, so let’s just wait for the final result,” 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 franchises, 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 President evaluates the results of its probe.
“According to the Executive Secretary, the suspension 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 followed,” Panelo said.
“Franchise holders and operators of lotto outlets may now resume with their operations. The lifting of the suspension of lotto operations takes effect immediately,” he added.
Earlier, Malacañang assured of a swift and thorough investigation on the alleged corruption in the PCSO. (Argyll Geducos)
