Lapid: Duterte lifting Lotto ban proves progress in probe on corruption

Senator Lito Lapid. NOY MORCOSO / INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte’s move to lift the suspension on the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office’s (PCSO) Lotto operations shows his resolve to address the alleged corruption in the agency, Senator Lito Lapid said Wednesday.

Those depending on the Lotto operations for their livelihood and for financial assistance can now also rejoice with the lifting of the suspension, added Lapid, who chairs the Senate committee on games and amusement.

“Ang muling pagbubukas ng operasyon ng lotto sa buong bansa ay patunay na umuusad ang ginagawang imbestigasyon ng Pangulo tungkol sa anomalya sa PCSO,” Lapid said in a statement.

“Maganda ito para sa marami nating kababayan na umaasa sa lotto bilang kanilang kabuhayan pati na rin sa pondong ipinapasok nito sa kaban na siyang pinagkukunan para ibigay sa mga pasyenteng tinutulungan ng PCSO,” he added.

The senator is also waiting to know who is behind the alleged “massive corruption” in the PCSO which led the President to stop the agency’s gaming activities, including Lotto.

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

“Hinihintay ng nakararami ang direksyon ng administrasyon ni Pangulong Duterte hinggil sa Small Town Lottery (STL), Peryahan ng Bayan at Keno kung nais pa rin nilang ipagpatuloy sa kabila ng mga kontrobersyang bumabalot dito,” he said.

On Tuesday night, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the lifting of the suspension of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office’s (PCSO) Lotto operations.

READ: BREAK: Suspension of Lotto operations lifted – Panelo

The PCSO officially announced on Wednesday the resumption of its Lotto games.

READ: PCSO resumes Lotto games, draws after Duterte lifts suspension

For his part, Senator Sonny Angara said the implementation of the Universal Health Care Act and other government programs is no longer at risk of having complications due to lack of funds since Lotto operations have already resumed.

“Wala nang panganib na magkaka aberya ang pagsasatupad ng Universal Health Care Act at iba pang mga programa ng gobyerno para sa ating mga kababayan dahil sa kakulangan ng pondo,” Angara said in a separate statement.

“Hindi na din kailangan mamuroblema pa ang mga operators ng lotto outlets at ang libo-libong empleyado nila kung saan nila kukunin ang pang araw araw nila na gastusin dahil sa pansamantalang pagtigil sa kanilang hanapbuhay,” he added.

The senator said the President will push through with his resolve to end the corruption in the agency.

“Suportado po natin ang Pangulo sa giyera laban sa korapsyon at mga katiwalian sa pamahalaan,” the senator said. /je