Take PCSO chief to court, Palace aide tells Morato

MANILA, Philippines—A Malacañang aide on Saturday challenged former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office chair Manuel Morato to take PCSO chief Margie Juico and the state lottery’s current board to court.

In an interview on the state-run radio station dzRB, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said Morato should practice what he preaches against trial by publicity and bring his allegations of corruption against Juico before the courts.

Valte also criticized the outspoken former PCSO chair for airing his allegations outside the Senate where he had a  chance to make his charges against Juico under oath before the Blue Ribbon Committee.

Morato has alleged that Juico herself when she was  a director from 2001 to 2005 dipped into the PCSO’s advertising fund. He also said that religious groups continue to receive donations of ambulances from the PCSO under the Juico board.

“He should practice what he preaches. One of the things (he has been saying) was there should be no trial by publicity, that he will meet them in the proper forum, that he’s ready to face them in the Supreme Court and that charges should be filed in the proper venue,” Valte said.