Drilon pushes for privatization of lotto operation

MANILA, Philippines—Senator Franklin Drilon said lotto operation should be privatized to prevent a repeat of multimillion peso spending of intelligence funds supposed to be used for curbing illegal numbers game.

“For the long term, we should privatize the lotto operation. The government should not participate in gambling operations,” Drilon said in an interview over 990AM’s Tapatan with Jay Sonza and Den Macaranas.

Drilon said that once lottery is privatized, the government would then serve as a regulatory agency that will simply collect a set franchise fee from whoever will win the bidding to operate the lotto.

“With a privatize lotto operations, intel funds will no longer be a problem. If these private companies want intel funds, then, that is their call as long as they pay the franchise fee to the government,” Drilon said.

PCSO is the operator and regulator of gambling in the Philippines. Aside from lotto, it operates sweepstakes and races to raise funds for health programs, medical assistance and services, and other charity works.

It is currently under fire following allegations on questionable spending of intelligence funds, ad overspending and giving of luxury vehicles to Catholic bishops.

For full interview, listen to 990AM