Palace dismisses abolition of PCSO, Pagcor
Sunday, July 10, 2011
MALACANANG on Friday rejected calls for the abolition of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor).
It is premature to entertain the idea of abolition since the agencies [should be allowed to] implement systemic reforms first, Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said.
“Maybe it is like a knee jerk reaction to the news that are coming out recently concerning those two agencies,” said Valte.
“Let us not forget the mandate of the two agencies, especially the PCSO, which is mandated to help and extend medical assistance to those in need. Maybe, it would be better to implement systemic reforms first and observe if it will work before we talk about the need to abolish these agencies or not,” she added.
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Archbishop Emeritus Oscar Cruz reiterated his call to abolish the PCSO in the wake of alleged funds misuse and other controversies involving the agency and some Catholic Church leaders.
Cruz, who is the chairperson of anti-gambling group Krusadang Bayan Laban sa Sugal (KBLS), also sought the abolition of Pagcor.
Funds in both agencies, which are both under the Office of the President, are more used for “political advantage” than for charity work.
“Maybe in the past administration, not in this administration,” countered Valte.
Meanwhile, Valte said they will defer comment on the proposal of Senator Franklin Drilon to privatize the PCSO.
“We have not discussed that with President, give us a little time so we can ask the President on his thoughts on the matter,” she said.
The Palace official was not aware if Drilon’s scheduled meeting with President Benigno Aquino III in Malacanang has something to do with the senator’s position to sell the gambling establishments.
Several instances of alleged misuse of PCSO intelligence funds during the Arroyo administration were revealed at a Senate hearing Thursday.
Former PCSO general manager Rosario Uriarte admitted that funds meant for intelligence operations were diverted to other purposes such as for calamities and “blood money” for imprisoned Filipinos abroad.
Valte noted the importance of the Arroyo administration’s response to the allegations and controversies hounding their government.
However, she said Malacanang will not dictate on the previous administration to say its piece on the issue.
“They should better use their judgment on what step they should take,” she said. (Jill Beltran/Sunnex)
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