By THEPHILBIZNEWS STAFF
Operations of the lotto games by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) nationwide resume today, July 31, five days after President Duterte shut down all of PCSO’s betting games due to what he had claimed as “massive corruption” in the government agency.
“Franchise holders and operators of lotto outlets may now resume with their operations. The lifting of the suspension of lotto operations takes effect immediately,” said Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo in a statement issued Tuesday night, July 30.
Panelo said his announcement came, following an advisory from Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea that the President has lifted the suspension of lotto operations after investigators found no irregularities or corruption in the operation of PCSO’s lotto games.
However, Panelo clarified that all other betting games of the PCSO such as Keno, small-town lottery or STL, and Peryahan ng Bayan will remain suspended.
He said only the lotto games were found to be operating above board, thus far, but there is still a pending investigation on supposed illegal activities and corrupt practices related to the operation of other PCSO games.
While the franchises, licenses or permits granted by the PCSO for such games as STL, Keno, and Peryahan ng Bayan remain suspended, the Palace spokesman assured that the Office of the President will evaluate results of the investigation into allegations of corruption.