MANILA, Philippines — Contrary to the pronouncement of President Rodrigo Duterte, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde on Tuesday said policemen in active service cannot own Small Town Lottery (STL) franchises as it would stir conflict of interest in their job as law enforcers.
Albayalde made this remark as he revealed that the PNP has received reports that active senior police officers were allegedly involved in operating STL franchises during Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa’s term as PNP boss. Dela Rosa was chief of the nation’s police force before Albayalde took over in April 2018.
“I think kung titingnan mo ‘yung civil service law and ‘yung code of ethics, ethical standards, hindi po pwede ‘yun. Remember, STL is a form of gambling. Hindi pwede ‘yun sa amin,” he pointed out during a press briefing at Camp Crame in Quezon City.
(If you will look at the civil service law, code of ethics, and ethical standards, that is not allowed. Remember, STL is a form of gambling. That is not allowed for us.)
Albayalde said the PNP Directorate for Intelligence will investigate allegations of active senior police officers’ involvement in STL operations.
“They will do an investigation and information gathering. If we see enough evidence, these officers will be charged accordingly,” he noted.
During the 118th Police Service Anniversary on August 9, Duterte said he sees no problem with police and military generals owning STL franchises from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) as long as they are complying with the law.
READ: Duterte: Nothing wrong with PNP, AFP generals owning STL franchise
Durerte, however, said that for the sake of “delicadeza,” police and military generals should ask their superiors to assign them in provinces where their STL franchises are not located.
But for Albayalde, the President may be referring only to retired generals.
“But if you are in the active service, meron pong tinatawag na (there is what’s called) conflict of interest because you are enforcing the law,” he said, noting that some STL franchises were allegedly being used as a cover-up for the illegal numbers racket jueteng.
Duterte has stopped operations of STL, Peryahan ng Bayan, Keno, and Lotto due to alleged massive corruption at PCSO. Duterte, however, has already lifted the ban on the Lotto game. /kga