Senator Lito Lapid. NOY MORCOSO / INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Lito Lapid on Sunday asked the public not to criticize President Rodrigo Duterte and instead give him an opportunity to act amid issues surrounding the Phillippine Sweepstakes Charity Office (PCSO).
Lapid made the remark after Duterte ordered the PCSO to stop its gaming activities, including lotto and small-town lottery (STL), amid the alleged “massive corruption” in the agency.
The senator, who chairs the Senate committee on games, said that Duterte has the widest intelligence network which could serve as the basis of his orders.
“Sa lahat ng mga nanunungkulan ngayon, si Pangulong Duterte ang may pinakamalawak na intelligence network kung kaya’t kapag sinabi niyang may nakikita siyang malaking anomalya ukol sa pagpapatakbo ng mga laro ng PCSO tulad ng STL at lotto, dapat natin itong paniwalaan,” Lapid said in a statement.
“Nananawagan ako sa ating mga kababayan na sa halip na batikusin ang pangulo, atin siyang bigyan ng pagkakataon na umaksyon para ayusin ang nakikita niyang korapsyon sa PCSO at ipagdasal na siya ay bigyan ng sapat na talino at katapatan na gawin kung ano ang naaayon sa batas upang mapanagot ang mga taong nasa likod nito,” the senator added.
Lapid expressed hope, however, that Duterte would also consider the beneficiaries of PCSO who are affected by the move to stop the gaming operations of the agency.
“Dagdag dito, sana ay isaalang-alang din ng Pangulo sa kanyang bawat hakbang ang libo-libo nating mga kababayan na umaasa sa tulong na binibigay ng PCSO,” Lapid said.
Growing respect
Lapid said his respect for Duterte only grew due to the President’s ability to admit that there is something wrong within his administration.
“Lalo kong hinangaan ang Pangulo sapagka’t inamin niya na may mali sa pagpapalakad ng isang ahensyang nasa ilalim ng kanyang pamunuan,” Lapid said.
Following Duterte’s orders, PCSO on Saturday said it was suspending its gaming operations but added that it will appeal to Duterte the resumption of its activities for its beneficiaries.
Customers who have advanced playing tickets, meanwhile, are advised to keep their tickets until further notice. /je
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