MANILA — The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager, Mel Robles, announced on Tuesday (24 Jan 2023) that they are extending an invitation to members of the Senate Committee on Games and Amusements.
The purpose, he said, is for the senators to observe and draw objective conclusions and recommendations regarding the lottery processes.
GM Robles expressed confidence in the integrity of their lottery procedures, emphasizing that the best way to dispel any doubts is to allow the senators firsthand observation of the draws.
“For the past 89 years, the PCSO has maintained an unquestionable integrity, and we are committed to upholding that untarnished reputation,” Robles affirmed.
He went on to state, “That’s why we are inviting our honorable senators to witness the actual processes in action.”
Taking an extra step, GM Robles encouraged the senators to conduct unannounced inspections to further assure the integrity of the lottery operations.
In a letter dated January 22, GM Robles invited the lawmakers to witness the entire lotto draw process, from pre-draw preparations to the actual draw, on any day without prior notice, in the interest of transparency.
The letter was addressed to Committee Chairperson Sen. Manuel Lapid, Vice-Chairpersons Sen. Christopher ‘Bong’ Go and Sen. Raffy Tulfo, and committee members Senators Jose Ejercito Jr., Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero, Ramon Bong Revilla Jr., Francis Tolentino, and Risa Hontiveros.
“If you choose to send a representative, we simply ask for official written authorization for him or her,” GM Robles added.
“We are committed to openness and accountability in the conduct of all our lottery activities. Fostering transparency in the lotto draw process is crucial in maintaining public trust and confidence in the integrity of our operations,” emphasized GM Robles.
(By el Amigo/MNM)
