DOJ assures thorough probe of PCSO anomalies

FILE: Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Menardo Guevarra announces during a press briefing in Malacañang that the matter concerning the closure of the resorts in Boracay is currently one of the top priorities that are being discussed by the cabinet citing that it would not only concern the environmental aspect of the issue but the economic impact as well. TOTO LOZANO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA — Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Tuesday said no stone will be left unturned in the investigation into irregularities hounding the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) with the ordered probe going back to at least five years.

Speaking to newsmen at the sidelines of an event in Pasay City, Guevarra asserted that the verbal order of President Rodrigo Duterte for the immediate shutdown of lottery outlets was valid.

The justice chief likewise confirmed that the popular lotto games maybe returned ahead of the other gaming activities of PCSO which has been criticized by the President for anomalies in the remittance of the government’s share.

“That is possible. I think that is very possible,” opined Guevarra on the possible reopening of Lotto games.

Guevarra confirmed that the amounts involved easily run into the billions of pesos adding that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will be conducting a thorough probe of the finances.

“It will go. I would suppose this may go all the way five years back or at the very least, since 2016 or the time that this administration took over,” Guevarra said.

The DOJ chief said that a written counterpart of the President’s verbal order will be issued shortly but that the verbal order for the closure was in itself sufficient.

“I’m sure this would be reduced into writing as well. I made a comment that for purposes of record, since this is a public official act, somehow it has to be reduced in writing, and your coverage, that’s enough record of a presidential order but something in documentary form like a written memo, or an order can be done anytime, it’s just really ratifying what he has already given verbally,” Guevarra said.

Guevarra clarified that the closure order by the President is in the nature of a “preventive measure” and not a penalty.

“It’s just a suspension, in my opinion, the final action will be permanently closed and permanently terminated, and I think that is something that is yet to be made, and Malacañang has already said that it will await the result of the investigation before it makes a final move,” he said.

The DOJ chief said that proceeds of gaming activities from 2018 can sustain the PCSO’s charity operations until the end of the year.

“Sabi nila meron pa naman silang resources from 2018 pero mauubos at mauubos din yun, baka hanggang end of the year lang (They (PCSO) said they have resources from 2018 but it might run out and can just last until the end of the year),” he said.