Senate blue ribbon to probe alleged corruption at PCSO

Sen. Richard Gordon. INQUIRER.net file photo / CATHY MIRANDA

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate blue ribbon committee is pushing to conduct an investigation into the alleged “massive corruption” at the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), which led to President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to shutdown its gaming activities.

Blue ribbon chair Senator Richard Gordon said on Tuesday the inquiry could be held by late next week, after the committee tackles the “conflict of interest” allegations against Health Secretary Francisco Duque III.

“Definitely. Motu propio ito, pwede naman ‘yun,” Gordon told reporters in an interview when asked if the Senate blue ribbon committee plans to investigate the issue.

“Late next week na. Early next week siguro itong kay Duque and then after that pasok na tayo sa PCSO,” he added when asked on the date when the inquiry will be conducted.

He said the probe would like to uncover the reasons as to why Duterte ordered the shutdown of all the PCSO gaming outlets.

“Ang iimbestigahan natin, why the President stopped them? Is it because there’s actual corruption? Is it because there really is more money going to the illegal rather than the legal?” the senator said.

On Friday, Duterte ordered to stop all gaming activities of PCSO, including Lotto, due to alleged “massive corruption” in the agency.

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

As of Monday, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has shut down a total of 30,824 PCSO-operated gaming outlets since Saturday, July 27. /jpv

READ: Over 30,000 PCSO gaming outlets shut down