MANILA – The lotto game of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) resumes today. Last night, President Rodrigo Duterte lifted its suspension.
Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Duterte believed lotto operations were less prone to corruption as these were machine-operated.
Panelo, however, clarified that the other PCSO games such as Small Town Lottery (STL), Keno and Peryahan ng Bayan (PNB) remain suspended pending investigation.
“Franchise holders and operators of lotto outlets may now resume their operations,” said Panelo. “Other games are still suspended pending investigation of illegal activities and corrupt practices.”
President Duterte on Friday evening ordered the suspension of all PCSO operations, including lotto, due to alleged “massive corruption” among the people inside the agency.
Following the issuance of the order, the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) made rounds across the country to ensure that all lotto outlets were closed.
“The ground is massive corruption involving all, pati the courts that repeatedly issued injunctions to paralyze the government and to allow corruption to thrive,” Duterte said.
PCSO is a government-owned and controlled corporation under the Office of the President which is tasked to raise and provide funds for health programs./PN
