Party-list solons keen on probe of PCSO operations

Party-list lawmakers on Thursday pushed for an investigation on the operations of the Philippines Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) following President Rodrigo Duterte's claims of "massive corruption" in the agency.

In a news conference, several members of the Party-list Coalition Foundation, Inc. said a thorough look into its operations is needed to ensure that proceeds from its  games are managed well and go to the agency's beneficiaries.

Minority Leader Benny Abante earlier filed a resolution seeking a probe.

“Kailangan muna ipatawag yung involved persons. We’re talking of billions here…Saan napunta? Kaninong bulsa? Sino ang nakinabang? Na dapat ay napapakinabangan ng mga poorest of the poor, dapat napapakinabangan ng mga underprivileged nating mga kababayan, pero napunta lang sa bulsa ng iilang opisyal," ACT-CIS Rep. Nina Taduran said.

Ako Padayon Rep. Adriano Ebcas assured due process in the investigation

“Patawag natin sila sa proper na committee, then we will conduct an investigation. Yung mga issues and concerns with regards to the graft and corruption, para malaman natin kung ano yung ginagawa nila,” he said.

Taduran acknowledged that PCSO is the go-to agency for medical assistance.

“Alam naman po natin na PCSO is nakakatulong talaga for medical assistance…Talagang ang nilalapitan natin ay PCSO, every time na may nagkakasakit. So ang PCSO ay malaking tulong po talaga.”

Duterte on Friday, July 26, suspended the operation of all PCSO games and ordered an investigation of anomalies hounding them.  

On Wednesday, July 31, he gave the go-signal for the operation of lotto.

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," Malacanang said. —LDF, GMA News