Aquino nominates Ayong Maliksi as new PCSO head
PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III has appointed former lawmaker and Cavite governor Erineo “Ayong” Maliksi as member of the Board of Directors of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), Malacañang said Monday.
Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said Maliksi was also nominated by the President as PCSO Board chairman.
His nomination papers was signed last April 17.
He will serve the unexpired term of former PCSO chairperson Margarita Juico, who resigned last year. His term will end on June 30, 2015.
As early as 2014, media reports said Maliksi, who was among the administration candidates who lost during the elections, was being eyed by Aquino for the PCSO top post.
READ: Maliksi to get PCSO job
Such reports came about after Juico submitted her resignation in May last year. She denied that she resigned because of controversy involving Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II. She said she was just feeling “really tired.”
A Philippine Daily Inquirer report, on the other hand, cited a source who said she resigned because an influential Liberal Party congressman was being groomed as her replacement.
READ: Juico denies intrigue behind her resignation
Later that year, Aquino said that while he wanted Maliksi for the job, the former congressman was still facing a case before the Office of the Ombudsman.
At that time, he said “It might be easier to use his (Maliksi’s) talents if we put him in another assignment.”
READ: Aquino looking for new PCSO head
In March, the Sandiganbayan upheld its ruling to dismiss the graft charges against Maliksi.
READ: Sandigan upholds decision dismissing Maliksi graft case
Maliksi was accused of being involved in the alleged irregular procurement of P2.5 million worth of medicines in 2002.
At that time, he was still the governor of Cavite.
Maliksi was mayor of Imus, Cavite for a decade (1988 to 1998) before serving one term in the House of Representatives (1998 to 2001). He was governor of Cavite from 2001 to 2010. He returned to Congress in 2010 to 2013 but lost to Jonvic Remulla in 2013 when he again ran as governor of the province.
The PCO was created as a fundraising agency of the government. It conducts charity sweepstakes races and lotteries. AC
