ILOILO City – The Peryahan ng Bayan lottery outlet on Arroyo Street was padlocked yesterday by the Regional Special Operations Group of the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6).
According to the Councilor Romel Duron, citing a court decision, the operation of the Peryahan ng Bayan was illegal.
“Hambal sang korte illegal sia… Sang una nakakuha status quo order pero sang ulihi hambal sang korte it was only temporary,” said Duron.
In July 2019, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the suspension of all Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) games such as lotto, Peryahan ng Bayan, Keno, and small town lottery for alleged corruption.
Meanwhile, in her letter to regional police director Brigadier General Rolando Miranda dated July 5, 2021, PCSO vice chairperson and general manager Royina Marzan-Garma informed the former that the PCSO approved the application of the following new authorized agent corporations with their respective areas of STL operation:
* 7 Aces Games and Amusement Corp. – Iloilo province
* Iloilo Small Town Lottery Gaming Corp. – Iloilo City
* 888 Good Fortune Gaming Ventures Corp. – Capiz
* 888 Good Fortune Gaming Corp. – Antique
* Great Lion Gaming Ventures Inc. – Aklan
Garma said these areas are not included in the status quo ante order issued by the Regional Trial Court of Mandaluyong City to Peryahan ng Bayan.
In addition, Garma noted that the Office of the President (OP) issued a memorandum that the resumption of operation of Peryahan does not bear the approval of the President, and therefore is still subject to the suspension order of the PCSO games.
On the other hand, Duron – who also serves as spokesperson of the 7 Aces Game and Amusement Corp. – said around P23-million worth of financial assistance for the needy can be generated by the PCSO if the public will patronize STL over Peryahan ng Bayan.
Duron noted that 52.29 percent of the income of the STL in Iloilo province will go to the PCSO and can be used for charity work.
“I hope maintindihan ninyo nga ang legal ‘ya amo ang PCSO kag ang Peryahan ng Bayan ‘ya wala gid kamo kuwaon da nga benepisyo, kamo lang kwa-an nila sina,” said Duron./PN
