Duterte lifts suspension of lotto ops —Palace

President Rodrigo Duterte has lifted the suspension of operations of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes' lotto game, Malacañang said on Tuesday.

"Franchise holders and operators of lotto outlets may now resume with their operations. The lifting of the suspension of lotto operations takes effect immediately," presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a message to reporters.

Other gaming operations managed by the PCSO with franchises, licenses or permits such as Small-Town Lottery (STL), Keno, and Peryahan ng Bayan (PNB), however, “shall remain suspended pending the investigation of illegal activities and corrupt practices related thereto until the Office of the President evaluates the results of said probe.”

“As per the advice of Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea, the suspension of lotto operations has been ordered lifted by the President,” Panelo said.

Medialdea said investigators found no anomalies in the conduct of lotto operations, “its sanctity remained untainted and proper regulatory rules followed.”

“Franchise holders and operators of lotto outlets may now resume with their operations,“ he added.

Duterte had suspended all of PCSO's gaming operations last Saturday, citing "massive corruption."

The inclusion of lotto in the order has triggered an outcry from lotto franchise operators, saying that lotto was just dragged down by the illegal activities hounding the STL and PNB.

The Philippine Online Lottery Agents Association Inc. (POLAI) urged Duterte to revive the operations of lotto, keno, and other games.

A day after the President's orders, the Philippine National Police reported the closure of some 2,000 lotto and STL outlets nationwide. —Virgil Lopez/JST, GMA News