Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 14) — The House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations suspended the briefing on the Philippine Charities and Sweepstakes Office’s (PCSO) proposed budget for 2024 due to inconsistencies with the data it presented to lawmakers.
Marikina 2nd District Rep. Stella Quimbo, the vice chair of the House appropriations panel, sought clarification from the PCSO on the figures in its presentation prior to the start of the interpellation.
Quimbo was asking PCSO Accounting and Budget Department Manager Ma. Cristina Gregorio to explain the estimated net loss of ₱2.93 billion reflected on the agency’s submitted 2024 Budget of Expenditures and Sources of Finances for the 2024 National Expenditure Program (NEP).
“Sinasabi po ninyo na napakaganda ng inyong performance at hindi ko ma-reconcile with a minus ₱2.93 billion na ineexpect niyo in 2023,” Quimbo said.“We did not forecast the ₱2.93 billion. Hindi po. Hindi po kami nagco-confirm. Ang sinubmit po namin dito is, sorry po ma’am wala akong hawak na COB [corporate operating budget] namin. Pero wala po kaming net loss,” the PCSO official said. Gregorio could not immediately respond when asked to confirm the submission with a forecast loss of ₱2.93 billion pesos for 2023. She earned Quimbo’s ire when she said she will submit the figures being requested by the congresswoman. This is a question of accountability,” Quimbo said. “Beterano na po dapat kayo, four years na kayo nandyan. Kung ano sinu-submit ninyo, kabisado niyo na dapat by this time.”Lawmakers were dismayed by the PCSO’s inability to respond to questions about data it presented to the Department of Budget and Management.Albay Representative Joey Salceda also flagged the increase in personal services and ‘completely flunky’ accounting.Meanwhile, Surigao del Norte 2nd District Representative Ace Barbers pointed out the absence of other board members and the lack of coordination among PCSO’s accounting unit and management.
PCSO General Manager Junie Cua earlier appealed anew to the Senate to pass a measure lowering the documentary stamp tax (DST) rate for gross retail receipts. He says this would allow PCSO to contribute more to the Universal Healthcare Act if DST is reduced from 20% to 10% this year.
The agency has given ₱3.5 billion for the Universal Healthcare Act from 2022 until June 30, 2023.
A government agency under the Office of the President, the PCSO conducts charity sweepstakes, races, and lotteries and engages in health and welfare-related investments, projects, and activities to provide permanent and continuing sources of funds for its programs.
The House panel suspended the hearing until 9 am on August 15, Tuesday.
