MANILA – After almost a month, President Rodrigo Duterte lifted the suspension of Small Town Lottery (STL) in the country operated by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo on Thursday said the ban could be lifted as early as Monday after the publication of the implementing rules and regulations.
Panelo added STL operators with clear violations will not be allowed to operate, while all the STL agents must sign an agreement not to file any claims or charges against the government.
“Kung meron silang violation (STL operators) that will mean automatic cessation ng kanilang franchise. Hindi na sila makaka-operate,” Panelo said.
“They would have to agree that they cannot sue, hindi sila magdedemanda. Ang ginagawa ng iba, katulad nu’ng seven nagdemanda, hindi na nga nagbabayad, nagdemanda pa,” he added.
PCSO general manager Royina Garma announced Duterte’s lifting of suspension pursuant to the recommendation of the PCSO.
She said authorized agent corporations (AACs) that are compliant with the conditions of their STL agency agreement and have been remitting their guaranteed minimum monthly retail receipts may operate, provided that they comply with the following conditions:
1.) The AACs shall deposit with the PCSO a cash bond equivalent to three months of the PCSO’s share in the Guaranteed Minimum Monthly Retail Receipts (GMMRR) on top of their existing cash bonds.
2.) Upon failure to timely and fully remit their GMMRR during the duration of operations, the AACs’ cash bond equivalent to three months of the PCSO’s share in the GMMRR shall be automatically forfeited in favor of PCSO, without prejudice to the other remedies that may be exercised by the government.
3.) Each AAC shall execute a written undertaking that it shall comply with its obligations under the STL agency agreement and will not institute any claims, monetary or otherwise, against the government, and/or apply for a temporary restraining order or injunction from any court to prevent the government from exercising its rights and prerogatives.
4.) The STL agency agreement shall automatically be terminated upon violation of the conditions of their franchise and/or any of the above conditions without prejudice to the other remedies that may be exercised by the government.
Duterte suspended all gaming operations with franchises, licenses or permits granted by the PCSO due to alleged corruption last July but he immediately lifted Lotto’s suspension after an investigation was made./PN
