Go: Huge losses, corruption led to lotto, STL shutdown

MANILA, Philippines – Huge losses incurred during the past few months and widespread corruption had prompted President Rodrigo Duterte to order the stoppage of lotto, small town lottery and all other gaming features of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), Senator Christopher “Bong” Go bared Monday.

Go said no less than the PCSO General Manager Royina Garma had informed  the President about the said losses.

“Nag report po yung bagong general manager po ng  PCSO na si  Royina Garma, yung bagong talagang general manager, and she reported na kelangan nya po ng tulong ng Pangulo  dahil  talagang hirap syang sugpuin yung korapsyon sa PCSO at napakalaking losses na po ang nangyari  in the past few months sa operations po ng some games po ng PCSO (The new PCSO general manager sought the President’s help in combating massive corruption and the huge losses incurred),” Go told reporters  on Monday.

Asked if the said situation resulted in President’s directive to halt PCSO’s lottery and other games, Go said yes.

“Hiniling nya (Garma) sa Pangulo ng silipin, tulungan sya  sugpuin yung korapsyon at mabalik yung mga losses po, mabayaran yung mga losses,” Go said.

He clarified though that it was the President’s decision, and not the general manager’s suggestion, to call off all PCSO  gaming activities, pending an investigation.

Go could not say how much losses had been reported by the general manager, but bared that a huge amount is involved.

He added that he too cannot say when or whether or not the President’s directive will be lifted.

“Basta ang sabi  lang ni Pangulo stop the graft and corruption sa PCSO saka nya po bubuksan muli yung palaro,”  Go said.

Last Friday,  Duterte ordered the stoppage of all gaming schemes of the PCSO  due to “massive  corruption.”

“Pending investigation, lahat ho ng laro ng lotto, STL, Peryahan ng Bayan, or whatever nature, there’s one that ‘yung gambling machine, Keno, I said all gaming activities. ‘Yung gambling, that got the franchise from (the) government through PCSO, are, as of today, suspended or terminated because of massive corruption,”  the President said. /gsg

READ: Duterte stops all PCSO gaming activities including lotto, STL