PCSO viral photo: Barbers says exec who lost public trust should resign 

Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers lead the hearing of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs in this file photo taken on May 17, 2023. (Photo from a video posted on the Facebook page of the House of Representatives)

MANILA, Philippines — A government official who lost public trust should at least have “delicadeza” to resign, a lawmaker said on Sunday, referring to Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Melquiades Robles amid allegations of “highly improbable and doubtful winnings” in the state lottery.

“Public office is a public trust. When people have lost their trust in you, delicadeza at the very least should drive you to resign,” Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said in a statement.

“Was there a need to publish the pictures of the winning bettors? While there was none, PCSO GM Robles probably wanted to allay alleged rumors that some draws were not actually won and that the published winners were fictitious or staged, that he had to enlist the help of AI technology,” he added.

Barber’s remarks came after Robles confirmed that the viral photo of the lotto winner was edited for security reasons before it was posted on social media.

During the Senate committee hearing on ways and means last week, Robles explained that they altered the image to conceal the clothing of the winner, citing previous instances where others could recognize a participant through their garments.

“The result was both disastrous and hilarious. Instead of allaying those fears and rumors of fake winners, he succeeded in creating a conflagration. What used to be confined to the Matiresses is now a full-blown scandal exploding in his face that nothing less than his removal as GM or resignation could put the fire out,” Barbers furthered.

“I am reminded of a magic show staged here in the 90s entitled The Greatest Show on Earth, where people and things are made to disappear and reappear in different areas of the theater, to the great amazement and amusement of the audience. The same reaction is achieved in our lotto shows that now rival that magic show in terms of the amazing acts being performed before our very eyes,” he added.

The lawmaker likewise questioned the trustworthiness of lotto millions-worth of lotto winnings last October 2022 under Robles’s watch, as pointed out that the recent scandal may have stemmed from the “failed and weak screening and vetting processes of appointees.”

READ: PCSO ordered to pay P12 million Lotto jackpot to man with damaged ticket

“Remember the P236 million lotto draw of October 1, 2022, won by 433 bettors under Robles’ watch. Was it real or fake? What are the mathematical odds? Is the current manager a mathematician or a magician? What is his background and qualifications that earned him the position to manage an agency that raises billions upon billions in people’s money to be used for projects? Is he a finance expert?” Barbers said.

“It used to be that integrity, honesty, competence, and knowledge of the job are the qualifications used in measuring firmness of public officials. Now, many agencies are in disarray due to the incompetence of those at the helm. While the President continues to effect changes for the betterment of public service, this agency should be on his priority list. The people want officials with integrity,” he added.