Sandra Cam. Photo by Noy Morcoso/INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO
Officials of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) see Sandra Cam’s appointment to the agency as a boost in their campaign against illegal gambling, given her background in combating jueteng.
Florante Solmerin, deputy spokesperson of PCSO general manager Alexander Balutan, said on Wednesday they were not surprised by Cam’s appointment to the PCSO board, especially that there had already been talks about it.
READ: Sandra Cam named new board member of PCSO
Since Balutan and PCSO chair Jose Corpuz were appointed in September last year, Cam has frequently visited the agency. Officials also denied that Cam was working as one of the agency’s consultant.
According to Solmerin, Cam would be instrumental in crafting policies for the agency.
“She will be an asset in our anti-illegal gambling campaign under Executive Order (EO) 13. Isn’t she a (jueteng) whistle-blower who became famous for that? The PCSO welcomes her,” Solmerin said.
Signed by President Rodrigo Duterte in February this year, EO 13 aims to strengthen the fight against illegal gambling and clarify the jurisdiction and authority of concerned agencies in the regulation and licensing of gambling and online gaming facilities.
An avid supporter of Duterte, Cam lost in her senatorial bid in last year’s elections. A self-confessed bagwoman, Cam gained prominence when she testified in the Senate’s 2005 investigation into the payola scam, involving former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s son Mikey and brother-in-law former Rep. Iggy Arroyo. /jpv