NBI concludes probe on PCSO corruption

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has completed its probe on the reported massive corruption in the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) that led to suspension of its gaming operations last year.

The STAR learned that the NBI has submitted its fact-finding report to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and recommended filing of graft and corruption cases against several former and current PCSO officials.

The specific findings, however, were not immediately released pending review by the Palace, according to a highly placed source.

The insider bared that among those recommended charged are members of the PCSO board of directors.

“The NBI is just awaiting the go-signal to file the charges with DOJ,” revealed the source.

The DOJ ordered the NBI last July to conduct an investigation and case buildup on the “alleged graft and corrupt practices in the PCSO and various gaming operations.” 

DOJ Secretary Menardo Guevarra also directed the bureau to file appropriate charges against PCSO officials and personnel found liable “if evidence warrants.” 

It was learned that former PCSO general manager Alexander Balutan and other former executives were covered by the NBI probe despite their earlier removal from office.

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo announced in March last year that President Duterte sacked Balutan because of “serious allegations of corruption.” 

Duterte had also ordered the gaming operations of PCSO to stop due to “massive corruption.”

The Philippine National Police closed 6,313 lotto stores; 20,241 small town lottery kiosks; 190 small-town lottery (STL) drawing centers and 2,762 Peryahan ng Bayan outlets nationwide since Duterte’s order. A total of 778 Keno shops were also shut down.

But days later, the President ordered PCSO to resume lotto games after a preliminary probe showed that there were no apparent irregularities in lotto operations.

The suspension of STL operations, on the other hand, was extended for few more months after it was discovered that the PCSO did not collect revenue from operators.