(Screengrab from PTV)
MANILA – The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) on Tuesday said lawmakers are welcome to observe its processes of holding lotteries.
In a statement, PCSO general manager Mel Robles said they are confident of their integrity of their lottery processes, noting that the best way to erase any doubts about the integrity of results is for the senators to see for themselves how the draws are conducted.
“The PCSO for the past 89 years has kept its integrity beyond question. And we are committed to following that unsullied reputation," Robles said.
He also said senators can hold an unannounced inspection to remove any doubt about the integrity of the lottery operations.
In a letter dated Jan. 22, Robles invited the lawmakers “to witness the entire lotto draw process – from the pre-draw preparations to the actual draw itself, for any lotto draw on any day, even without prior notice” in the interest of transparency.
The letter was addressed to Senate Committee on Games and Amusement chairperson, Senator Manuel Lapid, vice chairpersons Senators Christopher ‘Bong’ Go, and Raffy Tulfo, as well as committee members Senators JV Ejercito Jr., Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero, Ramon Bong Revilla Jr., Francis Tolentino, and Risa Hontiveros.
“In the event that you choose to send a representative, we simply ask for official written authorization for him or her. We are committed to openness and accountability in the conduct of all our lottery activities. We believe that fostering transparency in the lotto draw process is crucial in maintaining public trust and confidence in the integrity of our operations,” Robles said.
Last week, the state lottery agency drew flak from netizens for using an edited photo of a bettor claiming her PHP43 million prize from the Lotto 6/42 draw, which became the subject of a recent Senate hearing.
Robles, during the Jan. 18 hearing, said this was done to protect the identity of the winner.
This prompted senators to raise questions on whether the recent jackpot winners of the Lotto games are merely bettors and are not connected to the PCSO.
Meanwhile, Tulfo is set to investigate the legitimacy of all lotto jackpot winners during the continuation of Senate hearing on Jan. 25.
Tulfo, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, said he would also study the possibility of banning PCSO from adding jackpot money from their prize fund reserve for their lottery games.
In the previous hearing, Robles admitted that last December, the PCSO increased the jackpot money of all lotto games, adding PHP100 million each in 6/42 and 6/45 while half a billion each in 6/49, 6/55 and 6/58 from their prize fund reserve.
Tulfo said this means that the total amount transferred from the prize fund reserve to jackpot money for said lottery games reached PHP1.7 billion.
He said the PHP1.7 billion could have been used for medical needs of thousands of indigent patients.
"Nakakalungkot na ang PHP1.7 billion na ito ay napunta lamang sa iilang tao. Kuwestiyonable pa ang mga taong nanalo sa jackpot na ito tulad ng hinala ng mga netizen." (It’s sad that this PHP1.7 billion only went to a few people. The people who won this jackpot are still questionable as netizens suspected),” he said. (with reports from Leonel Abasola)
Tulfo, vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, said he would also study the possibility of banning PCSO from adding jackpot money from their prize fund reserve for their lottery games.
In the previous hearing, Robles admitted that last December, the PCSO increased the jackpot money of all lotto games, adding PHP100 million each in 6/42 and 6/45 while half a billion each in 6/49, 6/55 and 6/58 from their prize fund reserve.
Tulfo said this means that the total amount transferred from the prize fund reserve to jackpot money for said lottery games reached PHP1.7 billion.
He said the PHP1.7 billion could have been used for medical needs of thousands of indigent patients.
"Nakakalungkot na ang PHP1.7 billion na ito ay napunta lamang sa iilang tao. Kuwestiyonable pa ang mga taong nanalo sa jackpot na ito tulad ng hinala ng mga netizen." (It’s sad that this PHP1.7 billion only went to a few people. The people who won this jackpot are still questionable as netizens suspected),” he said. (with reports from Leonel Abasola)
