Panelo admits no gov’t help yet for affected PCSO workers

Presidential Spokesperson
Salvador Panelo. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Malacañang admitted on Tuesday that there is no government intervention yet being done to help the affected workers of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

This development came after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered to shut down all gaming schemes under the PCSO nationwide including lotto and STL.

“Well sa ngayon, wala,” Palace Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Tuesday in a Palace briefing when asked about the government’s aid to affected PCSO workers.

Duterte ordered on Friday night the immediate stoppage of all PCSO-operated, -licensed, and -franchised gaming schemes due to alleged “massive corruption.”

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has so far shut down a total of 30,284 gaming outlets operated by the PCSO since Saturday.

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

READ: Over 30,000 PCSO gaming outlets shut down

Panelo also claimed that affected workers have their own savings and will be able to cope up in time.

“I’m sure iyong namang mga naapektuhan, hindi naman sila ganoong kahirap. Marami naman silang kinita during those times na they were operating, so I’m sure mayroon silang pondo to live by,” he said.

The Palace official further stressed that “sacrifice” is needed for the crackdown on corruption for the “greater good.”

“Ang mahalaga iyong katiwalian na naganap eh maihinto. Kailangan kung minsan mayroon tayong sakripisyong ibibigay para sa kabutihan ng pangkalahatan,” Panelo said. /jpv