The Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption welcomed Malacañang’s designation of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office chairman Anselmo Pinili as acting general manager as it called on president-elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to reorganize the agency.
“Anselmo Pinili has brought integrity and character to the office of the Chairman of the Board of PCSO,” said VACC president Arsenio Evangelista in a statement.
Royina Garma earlier resigned as vice chairperson, general manager and member of the board of PCSO.
The VACC asked the incoming Marcos administration to appoint a general manager who has familiarity with the gaming operations of PCSO and a track record of integrity.
Evangelista said the incoming administration would need around P326 billion in annual revenues to cover both principal and interest payments because of the debts incurred during the coronavirus disease pandemic.
“The general manager to be appointed by the next administration does not have the luxury of a learning curve. PCSO gaming operations must be digitized and retooled to maximize online sales while ensuring that all gaming ticket revenues are accounted for,” Evangelista said.
VACC also lashed out at alleged attempts resisting digitalization in the agency.
“We call upon president-elect BBM, as we fondly call him, to order a thorough, top to bottom investigation of PCSO,” Evangelista said.
President Rodrigo Duterte in July 2017 ordered the gaming operations of PCSO to stop over alleged “massive corruption” in the agency.
“Over the years, certain PCSO officials have caused the government to lose out on revenue opportunities. It is high time to do a full investigation, and if warranted by evidence, charge and prosecute them,” Evangelista said.