Admin used PCSO funds in 2001 elections - exec

(Updated 5:03 p.m.) A former senior executive of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) on Monday alleged that the agency's funds were diverted into the campaign kitty of the administration's senatorial ticket for the 2001 mid-term elections. Lawyer Cirilo Avila, former PCSO corporate board secretary, said that from his "understanding," the money was "made to appear as PCSO ad placements." He added that the administration's People Power Coalition at the time "had a request" for the funding. "So this was presented to the board, through then manager Ver Angelo, the board approved it after thorough discussion of the matter," Avila said in an interview on dzBB radio. He said the diverted money, the amount of which was not disclosed, was for the "13-0 campaign of the administration at that time." "There were actual placements na ginawan nito (made) in the 2001 mid-term elections using PCSO funds intended for PCSO advertising," he said. Avila warned that, "I am about to make a presumption that what happened in 2001 might happen again." During a press conference also on Monday, Avila presented an alleged audio recording of a PCSO board meeting wherein the officers were allegedly heard talking about ways of how to help administration candidates, radio station dzBB said. The May 14, 2001 elections came in the aftermath of the second People Power revolt which saw Gloria Macapagal Arroyo takeover the presidency from Joseph Estrada. The People Power Coalition ticket was made up of Joker Arroyo, Liwayway Vinzons-Chato, Franklin Drilon, Juan Flavier, Ernesto Herrera, Ramon Magsaysay Jr, Solita Collas-Monsod, Sergio Osmeña III, Roberto Pagdanganan, Francis Pangilinan, Ralph Recto, Wigberto Tañada and Manuel Villar. Of these personalities, Joker Arroyo, Pangilinan and Recto and Villar are seeking re-election as senators. Avila was accompanied during the media briefing by former PCSO director Linggoy Alcuaz, a staunch critic of President Arroyo and a close ally of Estrada. - GMANews.TV