DILG reminds PNP, LGUs ‘Peryahan ng Bayan’ still suspended amid reported resumption of ops

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Monday said the operations of “Peryahan ng Bayan” are still suspended amid reports that they have resumed in several areas.

In a statement, DILG Secretary Eduardo Año directed the Philippine National Police (PNP) and local government units (LGUs) to monitor and intensify campaigns against the illegal activity.

“Suspendido pa rin po ang operasyon ng Peryahan ng Bayan kaya inaatasan ko ang PNP na ipagpatuloy ang maigting na kampanya para supilin ang lahat ng uri ng illegal gambling, kasama na ang PnB,”

(The operations of Peryahan ng Bayan are still suspended so I am directing the PNP to continue its campaign to stop all kinds of illegal gambling including PnB.)

The DILG said the operations of the Peryahan continue in several areas because some operators are allegedly showing the writ of execution issued by Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 161 on January 24, 2020 to authorities to allow them to operate.

However, the same court recalled the writ of execution on February 18, 2020 taking note of the memorandum issued by the Office of the President and urgent manifestation filed by the PCSO. 

On January 29, 2020, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea issued a memorandum to the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) clarifying that the resumption of PnB operations is still suspended. 

“Unless the said order is overturned by the same court or court of higher jurisdiction, the recall order is effective and should be implemented.  Hence, the operations of Peryahan ng Bayan are still suspended,” Año said.

In 2019, the National Bureau of Investigation conducted a probe into the alleged failure of PCSO to remit billions of revenues from its Small Town Lottery and Peryahan ng Bayan operations.—Joviland Rita/AOL, GMA News