With suspension lifted, lotto draws to resume Wednesday, July 31, 2019 —PCSO

Lotto draws are set to resume Wednesday after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the lifting of the suspension on the popular government numbers game, according to the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

At the same time, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesman Brigadier General Bernard Banac said all lotto operators may now remove the "closed" signs the police have put on their outlets.

“The resumption of the Lotto draws shall take effect today, July 31, 2019,” PCSO General Manager Royina Garma said in a statement.

Duterte last week ordered the halt to the gaming operations of PCSO due to alleged corruption.

Garma said the agency adheres to the objective and goal of the national government in charity work. She also said PCSO supports Duterte in eradicating corruption and illegal gambling activities.

“The Agency programs, projects, and activities are aligned to the objective and goal of our national government,” Garma said.

According to Banac, all PNP units are directed by PNP chief Police General Oscar Albayalde to visit all lotto outlets and assist operators in removing the signages if needed.

It was advised by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea that lotto game would resume as investigators found no anomalies in its operations.

Meanwhile, other PCSO gaming operations such as small-town lottery, Keno and Peryahan ng Bayan (PNB) shall remain suspended pending the investigation of alleged corrupt activities onto its operations.

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. —KBK, GMA News