Palace: Duterte will identify those behind alleged PCSO corruption ‘in due time’ 

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Saturday has assured that President Rodrigo Duterte will identify those behind the alleged corruption in the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office “in due time” after the Chief Executive ordered the suspension of PCSO gaming activities including lotto.

“This hydra-headed corruption will be cut off until it reproduces no more,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

Duterte ordered the shutdown of PCSO’s Lotto, Small Town Lottery (STL) and Peryahan ng Bayan effective on Saturday.

READ: Duterte stops all PCSO gaming activities including lotto, STL

“It appears that there is a grand conspiracy among the major players and enforcers of these government-sanctioned gaming activities and enterprises to cheat the government of its rightful shares, depriving, therefore, the masses of our people of receiving basic services needed by them,” Panelo said, confirming the President’s order.

He added that Duterte was “outraged” upon learning of the alleged corruption happening in the PCSO, saying that those behind the scheme have “insatiable greed is infinite and beyond redemption.”

“Let this be a stern warning to all malefactors in the government, as well as all the enemies of the state, the Duterte presidency will be unrelenting in its war against corruption and unforgiving to the transgressors of the law,” Panelo warned.

“The President shall continue to brandish the flaming sword of his office and strike it at the heart of this social and political monstrous dragon,” he added. /muf