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[av_heading heading=’PCSO bypassed guv in STL decision?’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
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Wednesday, January 25, 2017
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ILOILO – An entity has reportedly been given a franchise by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) to operate Small Town Lottery in the province, and the provincial government is clueless about this.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. said he “heard” about the selection and that the chosen STL operator was seeking a meeting with him.
The governor, however, sounded pissed as he rattled a series of questions regarding the selection process. Among these were the following:
* Doesn’t his recommendation matter anymore in the selection of the STL operator in the province?
* What are the new guidelines for selecting the authorized STL operator?
* Is there no need any more for the governor to issue a letter of no objection to STL operation?
* How much would be the share of the province, each municipality, and the Philippine National Police from the proceeds of STL?
The PCSO must answer these, said Defensor.
He also said the chosen STL operator should present to him a letter from PCSO stating they indeed won the bidding to operate the numbers game in the province.
The authorized STL franchisee will reportedly start operating in Iloilo province this Feb. 1.
“In the old guidelines, no entity can be issued with an STL franchise without first securing from the governor a certificate of no objection. Is this prerogative of the governor still present in the new guidelines? I want to know,” said Defensor.
Is there no more need for PCSO to consult provincial governments in deciding where to operate STL, the governor further asked.
A few years back, Defensor endorsed the application of the Iloilo Small Town Lottery Gaming Corp. – operator of STL in Iloilo City – to operate the numbers game in the province.
Defensor said his endorsement was likely disregarded because it was done during the Aquino administration.
“We have a new administration. PCSO has a new head and likely has new guidelines in approving STL applications. But there are things I wanted to be clarified,” said Defensor.
One of these is the share of the province in STL’s income.
It’s the provincial government that will run after illegal gambling operators that compete against STL, he explained.
“What’s the point of doing that if the province won’t benefit from STL,” said Defensor.
When Defensor endorsed an STL applicant a few years back, he said one important thing he considered was this – the applicant must not in any way be involved illegal activities like illegal drugs.
But if the new guidelines do not require the issuance of a certificate of no objection from the governor, Defensor said, PCSO is free to select the STL operator.
“Pagusto na lang sila kun sin-o ibutang nila da. Bisan hold-aper pa kun amo na ya gusto nila mo. Kun indi na ko maghatag certificate of no objection, indi na ko kapugong kun sin-o. Indi na ko ka siling amo lang ‘ni ang pwede, amo ‘ni ang indi. Buot silingon bale wala na kami ya eh,” said Defensor./PN
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