PCSO insists 'peryahan' illegal

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) on Tuesday maintained that the “Peryahan ng Bayan” operated by Globaltech Mobile Online Corp. is illegal despite the dismissal of the cases filed against its operators before the Department of Justice (DOJ). 

PCSO general manager Alexander Balutan said they respect the dismissal of the cases filed against the arrested Globaltech tellers but maintained that it is no longer recognized or authorized by the PCSO to operate. 

He said the PCSO and law enforcement agencies such as the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will not be deterred by the DOJ’s resolution from implementing crackdowns against illegal peryahan operations nationwide.

Globaltech’s permit was terminated in 2016 due to supposed non-remittance of earnings worth about P100 million. 

Last month, the PCSO and NBI raided the office of Globaltech in Quezon City and arrested 57 people. More operations were conducted in Cebu and Mandaue, resulting in the arrest of 40 suspects. 

Charges for violating Republic Act 9287 or the Act to Increase Penalties Against Illegal Numbers Games were filed against those arrested. Some of those arrested were also charged for violating the anti-cybercrime law. 

But in a resolution dated Dec. 3, the DOJ task force on special cases dismissed the RA 9287 charges against 15 of those arrested, noting that Globaltech was able to secure a status quo ante order from a Pasig City court against the revocation of its permit. 

It also noted that the order has not been set aside, reversed or modified, and in fact has been challenged by the PCSO before the Court of Appeals. The case was submitted for resolution last Oct. 16.  

 Disrespect 

In a statement, Globaltech legal counsel Bernard Vitriolo expressed concern over the statements by Balutan, describing it as “very irresponsible and libelous” as it supposedly disrespects the DOJ.

Vitriolo said Balutan should defer to the DOJ on matters of investigation of legal issues as it is the government department tasked to decide and determine the existence of probable cause in a criminal complaint. 

 “We therefore encourage him to consult PCSO’s legal department or their counsel of record to avoid being cited for contempt of court,” he said. 

“We are now considering our legal options whether to pursue a case of indirect contempt of court against Balutan before the Court of Appeals or file a case before the Ombudsman and Civil Service Commission for grave misconduct and grave abuse of authority tantamount to oppression,” added Globaltech’s legal counsel.