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[av_heading heading=’Senate OKs proposed PCSO charter change’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY PRINCE GOLEZ
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Monday, June 5, 2017
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MANILA – Senators approved a bill amending the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) charter, limiting fund use to health care and charitable ventures and giving the agency monopoly in lottery and similar activities.
Senate Bill No. 1470, authored by Sen. Panfilo Lacson, also proposed changing the PCSO to the Philippine Charity Office, or PCO.
“The provisions in this bill allow the PCSO Charter to adapt to the changing system and emerging variations of lotteries and similar activities,” said Lacson.
Lacson said the PCO shall raise revenues to fund health programs, medical assistance and services, and related charities of government.
The PCO shall also be the sole entity authorized to promote, organize, operate, hold, and conduct lotteries, sweepstakes and similar activities.
“No person or entity may operate, hold and conduct national lotteries, sweepstakes and other similar activities except for the Office,” the bill stated. “National lotteries, sweepstakes and other similar activities are to be operated nationwide and/or region-wide and on such type, frequency, price of tickets, and prizes determined by the Board.”
“If feasible, the Office may conduct sweepstakes and similar activities in provinces, cities or municipalities,” the bill added.
The bill also allows the PCO to promote and conduct online lotteries “through the internet or other technological communication.”
Under the measure, local government units (LGUs) where local lotteries were to be operated shall be entitled to 7 percent of the gross sales/receipts from their locality.
“The amount received by the LGUs shall only be used to fund their health care or medical programs and services, provided that the municipality or city shall appropriate 20 percent of their share for the programs, activities and projects of their respective Peace and Order Councils,” Lacson said.
The bill also mandates the presence of a Commission on Audit representative during draws or selections of winning tickets./PN
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