PCSO stops STL in Albay, strips firm of license

LEGAZPI CITY — The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) has canceled the franchise of Lucky V Prime Enterprises Corp. to operate Small Town Lottery (STL) in Albay province for failure to remit a total of P259.4 million in monthly sales, Albay Vice Gov. Harold Imperial said on Friday.

Imperial said he would meet with the PCSO and the Lucky V management to find out what measure the province could take following the cancellation of the PCSO STL operation here.

“We should inform the public that the STL is no longer operating in Albay,” he said.

Imperial quoted PCSO Board Resolution No. 248, issued on Aug. 8, terminating the STL franchise of Lucky V.

Other violations

Among other violations found was failure to use official tickets or receipts.

The PCSO board decided to forfeit the cash bond of Lucky V as penalty and payment for its obligations.

The resolution stripping Lucky V of its franchise was approved and signed by Anselmo Simeon Pinili, PCSO board chair; Alexander Balutan, vice chair and general manager; Wesley Barayuga, board secretary and Directors Marlon Balite, Jesus Manuel Suntay and Sandra Cam.

Lucky V started operations in Albay last May 2017 after it secured a license to operate STL.

It held three draws daily—noon, 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Deadly feud

The gaming firm was then headed by Alex Herman Alemania, president, and Alexander Javier, corporate secretary and both from Quezon province.

Alemania was gunned down last November 2017 at the parking area of a mall in this city while inside his van.