Palace vows swift probe of corruption in PCSO
Credit to Author: Tempo Desk| Date: Mon, 29 Jul 2019 10:45:17 +0000
DUTERTE
Malacañang said President Duterte is now thoroughly investigating the alleged massive corruption in the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and assured the public that the probe will be a swift one.
Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo made the statement after the Philippine National Police (PNP) closed down at least 20,000 Lotto outlets nationwide on Duterte’s order late Friday.
In an interview over DZMM, Panelo said that the President is now carefully looking into the matter so he can identify the people behind the supposed grand conspiracy. Until such time, PCSO will not resume its operations.
“Sa ngayon kasi sabi nga ni Presidente, iniimbestigahan niyang maigi para malaman niya at matukoy niya kung sino yung mga involved at i-a-identify niya lahat sa lalong madaling panahon,” he said.
“Until such time na hindi pa natatapos ang imbestigasyon, sarado muna lahat. Si Presidente naman mabilis, eh. Kita mo mabilis agad yung order niyang ipasarado,” he added.
According to Panelo, Duterte never made a hasty decision on the PCSO as he talked to its officials before he made the announcement.
“Nag-meeting si Presidente tsaka yung bagong head ng PCSO bago niya in-announce yun, a few hours before. In fact, magkakasama sila at the time,” he said.
The Palace official also reiterated that the public in need of financial or medical assistance can come to the Office of the President or write a letter to them. He assured them that the Palace will respond to them and refer them to the appropriate office.
“Yung mga request nila will be redirected,” Panelo said.
“Gagawa lang sila ng sulat o sa pamamagitan ng whatever means na makakarating sa mga binaggit kong opisina ang kanilang mga hinaing o paghingi ng tulong,” he added.
On Friday, Duterte ordered the closure of all outlets of Lotto, Peryahan ng Bayan, Keno, and all other gaming schemes sanctioned by the PCSO over supposed massive corruption.
According to Panelo, Duterte discovered that the government is losing 60 to 70 percent of its share from the PCSO because of corruption. (Argyll Geducos)