PCSO’s Robles plans to file counter raps vs individuals behind FPJPM

Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Chair Melquiades Robles INQUIRER file photo / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Melquiades Robles plans to file counter charges against a group that sued the government-owned corporation for providing a commission to its e-lotto service provider, maintaining that all transactions were above-board.

In a statement on Tuesday, Robles said that they are operating the e-lotto games based on an authority given by the Office of the President (OP) in 2021, which stated that PCSO is in a better position to evaluate and approve technical guidelines regarding online betting platforms.

“The OP guidance, being an act of the executive, remains valid until amended, revoked, or replaced by its issuing authority,” Robles said.

“We will not take this matter sitting down. We will unmask those behind this dubious complaint and file appropriate counter-charges against them,” he added.

Robles was referring to the complaint filed by the group Filipinos for Peace, Justice, and Progress Movement (FPJPM) before the Office of the Ombudsman on Monday, where PCSO’s memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Pacific Online Systems Corporation (POSC) was questioned.

According to FPJPM, POSC originally offered a service for the e-lotto management without cost to the government.  However, the group claimed that eventually, the memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the two entities featured a 14 percent commission to the POSC.

READ: PCSO, e-lotto operator execs face raps due to 14% commission issue 

“In a nutshell, this complaint revolves around the simple and glaring fact that said MOA entitles POSC to fourteen percent (14%) commissions, even though the proposal of POSC was for zero commissions and/or no cost to the government,” FPJPM said in the complaint.

“The pertinent portions of POSC’s Letter of Intent dated 29 June 2023, state that: ‘Our Corporation, Pacific Online Systems Corporation, would like to signify our interest and intention to offer PCSO our system and services. With this, we are submitting our proposal at no cost nor risk to PCSO,’” the group added.

In a short statement on Monday, Robles — who was named as a respondent in the complaint — said it is unfortunate that FPJPM filed a complaint without understanding that the MOA is not a final contract.

According to Robles, these issues brought up by the FPJPM have been overtaken by events since the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC) had already given them a favorable review.

Previously, PCSO was scolded by lawmakers as it supposedly did not seek the OGCC’s nod before implementing the MOA with POSC.  Last January 22, PCSO was questioned by House of Representatives lawmakers as to why it entered into a deal with POSC — and implemented it — without the nod of the OGCC.

READ: Lawmaker hits, questions PCSO’s online lotto deal 

Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said that the MOA “clearly falls within the purview of 2023 Revised Guidelines and Procedures for Entering into Joint Venture Agreements between Government and Private Entities” — which means OGCC has a say in the issue.

READ: Senators scold PCSO for not asking Marcos’ nod in e-lotto implementation 

Robles said that these were the same issues discussed in the hearings of both the House and the Senate, saying that these were already “answered and clarified by the agency”.