MANILA, Philippines — Forty-eight members of the House of Representatives yesterday called for the immediate resignation of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) board member Sandra Cam for her “arrogant behavior” during a House hearing last Feb. 28.
In Resolution 1776, the lawmakers also urged the House to initiate contempt proceedings against Cam that could lead to her arrest and detention.
Reps. Arnulfo Teves of Negros Oriental, Danilo Suarez of Quezon, who is also minority leader, and Robert Ace Barbers of Surigao del Norte authored the resolution, which was co-authored by 45 of their colleagues.
During the Feb. 28 hearing on alleged PCSO irregularities, the lawmakers said Cam accused Teves of being involved in PCSO’s small town lottery (STL) operations in his province, which the latter denied.
Aside from hurling the accusation, she also yelled at the Negros Oriental congressman, they said.
“Cam, in a media interview after the hearing, hurled more contemptuous and threatening remarks against Rep. Teves,” they said.
They noted that it was not the first time the PCSO board member exhibited such behavior.
“In another committee hearing, she verbally abused the minority leader, Rep. Suarez,” the 48 House members said.
In the past, the House has detained disrespectful or uncooperative resource persons after citing them for contempt.
Cam has quarreled not only with lawmakers but with her own agency’s general manager, Alexander Balutan, as well.
Over 41,000 get medical aid
Meanwhile, the PCSO yesterday said that over 41,000 Filipinos have received medical assistance worth almost P800 million last month.
Balutan said recipients of the agency’s Individual Medical Assistance Program (IMAP) increased from 32,366 in February last year to 41,571 this year.
Spending also increased from P623.2 million to P797.6 million, he said.
The PCSO official said the head office released P450.1 million for 13,299 cases, while the branch offices released P347.5 million for 28,272 cases.
According to PCSO, the IMAP is its flagship program designed to provide financial support of individuals with health-related problems.
Coverage includes hospitalization, chemotherapy, medicines and dialysis, among others.
The amount of assistance depends on the social status of the applicant or patient classification determined by the PCSO. – Janvic Mateo