PCSO to appeal for resumption of its gaming operations

The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office on Saturday said it will appeal to President Rodrigo Duterte the resumption of its gaming operations ordered stopped by the chief executive, citing corruption in the agency.

"Rest assured, the PCSO shall appeal to the Office of the President for the resumption of the conduct of all games...[for] PCSO's mandate and for the interest of the PCSO, its agents and beneficiaries," PCSO General Manager Royina Garma said in video message aired by state-run People's Television Network (PTV).

Late on Friday, Duterte ordered the  closure, the stoppage of all gaming schemes operations  with franchises, licenses or permits granted by the PCSO, citing "massive corruption" as a ground for the directive.

"Puro dayaan lahat, at yung mga kontrata ay parang crafted in favor of corruption and to favor other corporation. ...I will not honor any order from any court stopping us or enjoining us to stop our desire to go into investigation for the massive corruption that is existing in the PCSO," he said.

Garma said that the PCSO has complied with the President's directive.

"Pursuant to the order of the President, suspending PCSO's gaming activities, the PCSO Board directs compliance to said instruction until further notice," she said.

"To our valued customers, please be advised that our PCSO games are suspended pursuant to the directive of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. All players with advance play tickets are advised to keep their tickets until further notice," she added.

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Duterte will identify the culprits behind the alleged corruption in the PCSO in "due time" and that "the full force of the law will come crushing  down on them."

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police began on Saturday its crackdown on PCSO operations, padlocking some gambling outlets in accordance with the Presidents call and threatening arrest to anyone who defies the order. —LBG, GMA News