Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 14) — Senators want an investigation into the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office’s (PCSO) failure to collect at least ₱5 billion from Small Town Lottery (STL) operators who closed shop after termination.
During the Senate Committee on Games and Amusement hearing on Monday, Sen. Robin Padilla asked if STL operators were able to pay PSCO and how much was still unpaid.
PCSO Chief of Staff Lyssa Grace Pagano said “prior to 2020, (around) ₱5 billion” have not been remitted to the agency.
Pagano explained that STL operators who are unable to pay or replenish cash bonds to make up for the shortfall of remittance to the PCSO incurred violations which are grounds for termination. These operators are then prohibited from opening a new lottery.
But Padilla said criminal complaints should be filed against the operators as the PCSO officers were unable to clearly answer if the operators were still able to remit the uncollected funds after termination.
“Palagay ko po, itong usapin na ito hindi na maging civil case. Maging criminal case na po ito,” he said.
[Translation: I think this is not a civil case. This should be a criminal case.]
Committee chairman Sen. Raffy Tulfo agreed with Padilla, saying STL operators could easily declare bankruptcy and take the money for themselves.
“Dapat po may makulong kasi baka sinasabi lang nila, ‘bankrupt na ako’. Pero ‘wag ka, ang ginawa nila, parang ginawa nila ay hit-and-run. Matapos tumiba-tiba ng daan-daang milyon, magsasara. At mago-open na naman ng panibagong location,” Tulfo said.
[Translation: Someone should be jailed because they might only be saying ‘we’re bankrupt.’ But what they are really doing is something like a hit-and-run. After earning millions, they close shop and then they open in a different location.]
The PSCO has admitted there is still no system in place to monitor terminated STL operators who changed their names to register and open a new stall.
PCSO Chairman Junie Cua said the agency will study the suggestions of senators.
