Group hits PCSO chair for allegedly using his position to get P2M for driver’s hospital bills

Former Cavite Rep. Erineo “Ayong” Maliksi, now PCSO chairman. Photo from congress.gov.ph

An advocacy group for transparency in government on Wednesday revealed how Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) Chairman Irineo “Ayong” Maliksi used his position twice to favor his driver Celestino Aman, who is also his constituent and confidential agent, to get more than P2 million worth of financial assistance from PCSO.

This came at a time when Maliksi had been criticizing the preferential treatment of some PCSO officials.

In a letter obtained by Filipino Alliance for Transparency and Empowerment (Fate), Maliksi endorsed the case of Aman for approval from the office of PCSO General Manager Jose Ferdinand Rojas.

The letter stated that P2.1 million for financial assistance on Aman was charged to the Charity Fund Allotment.

The said amount covers the room and board, professional fees as well as medicines and laboratory procedures.

Maliksi also used the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) of Cavite Rep. Alex Advincula to complete the payment of the bill of the former’s driver totaling P2.85 million.

In a letter dated Dec. 9, 2015, Maliksi asked PHC Executive Director Manuel Chua Chiaco Jr. to use P700,000 of the balance in Maliksi’s former PDAF allocation to PHC which was turned over to Advincula.

“As former Representative of the 3rd District of Cavite, this representation had allocated certain amounts in the Philippine Heart Center to help defray the medical expense of my constituents in said hospital,” Maliksi wrote in the letter.

“I understand that of the amount allocated, there remained a balance amounting to Seven Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php700,000.00) which I turned over for the use of the incumbent representative of the Third District, the Honorable Alex L. Advincula,” he added.

“To assist the family in paying said hospital bills and with the consent and approval of Representative Advincula, may I respectfully request that the said remaining amount of my unspent allocation be used to pay for the remaining hospital bills of Mr. Celestino Aman,” he wrote.

Advincula signed the Maliksi’s letter to “conforme” and approve it.

“Masayang tumulong ngunit mas maganda sana kung mas marami ang makikinabang sa pondong nakalaan sa mga lubos na nangangailangan. Ang tanong ngayon sino ba talaga ang nagbibigay ng preferential treatment,” said Fate president Jennifer Castro.

(It’s Ok to help but it’s better if many will benefit from the funds allotted to those who are in deep financial crisis. Now the question is who is giving preferential treatment?)