MANILA, Philippines – The nationwide lotto and Small Town Lottery (STL) operations of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) was stopped by President Rodrigo Duterte on July 27, 2019 due to alleged massive corruption.
All lotto kiosks and stalls were closed pursuant to the direct order of the President to the Philippine National Police and Philippine Army.
The question of the public remains, when is the exact date of resumption of the PCSO Lotto operations? When it will be back?
Senator Bong Go said that the closure is only temporary. Likewise, those in need of medical assistance can still ask in PCSO.
Senator Go also said that they have already discussed the matter and assure the public that the President will allow the office to operate again as soon as anomy was fixed.
The problem originated from Small Town Lottery. PCSO contracted a project/service but haven’t remitted anything to the agency.
As to the exact date of PCSO lotto resumption, Go said that only the President can tell.
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra believed that until investigation is completed and people responsible for cheating the government have been unmasked, PCSO gaming operations such as lotto and STL, which are otherwise legal may not resume.
Citizens who are in need of medical assistance can still do so as PCSO offices are still open to those in need.
In a statement with ABS-CBN, PCSO General Manager Royina Garma said,
“Sana po maintindihan po ng mga kababayan natin at ang charity assistance naman po natin ay tuloy-tuloy pa rin,”
“Sana po maunawaan niyo po ang sitwasyon namin ngayon. Humihingi rin po kami ng dispensa kung may mga delay sa delivery of service at pag-claim ng prices dahil po nasa stage po kami na inaayos namin based on the order of the President”
OFFICIAL STATEMENT OF PCSO
PCSO supports the president in its advocacy to eradicate corruption. In an official statement released via its official Facebook page. To quote,
“The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, being a GOCC directly under the Office of the President, will continue to abide by the directive of President Duterte to suspend all its gaming activities, until further notice.”
“May we inform the public that our Individual Medical Assistance Program (IMAP) services at the Lung Center of the Philippines in Quezon City and all PCSO Branch Offices nationwide will still be available today onwards, unless otherwise instructed.”
“For those who are holding winning Lotto and KENO tickets, prizes can still be claimed at the PCSO Head Office, Conservatory Building, Shaw Boulevard in Mandaluyong City from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.”
“The PCSO supports the decision of our dear President in eradicating corruption and illegal gambling activities. The Agency programs, projects and activities are aligned to the objective and goal of our national government.”
UPDATES
We recommend the public to stay tuned at this website as will inform everyone when will the lotto operations be back.