PCSO to hold bidding for lotto paper supply

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office will hold a competitive bidding for the supply of thermal paper for its lotto operations and other revenue-raising games, according to PCSO general manager Royina Garma.

Garma, who also sits as vice chairperson of the PCSO board, said they would follow the recommendation of the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC) to conduct a bidding instead of pursuing a compromise agreement with thermal paper supplier TMA Group Philippines Inc.

“Yes, we will. Ang sabi ng OGCC is for the PCSO to procure its supply of lotto paper through bidding,” Garma told reporters after turning over 52 ambulances to local government units recently.

She said the TMA Group could join the bidding.

Garma said they have issued a demand letter for the TMA Group to return the more than P700 million in PCSO assets it garnished from the charity agency.

The Supreme Court has overturned the Court of Appeals ruling that upheld the Makati regional trial court’s order allowing the garnishment of the PCSO assets.

“We have demanded the TMA to return the amount after the high court ruled with with finality. They have to return the money that they took from the PCSO illegally,” Garma said.

In a nine-page letter to Garma on July 6, the OGCC advised the agency not to execute a memorandum of agreement with the Australian-based firm, saying it would effectively enter the PCSO into a contract for the supply of lotto thermal paper without the conduct of a competitive bidding.

Last March, the high court’s Special Third Division denied with finality the motion for reconsideration filed by the TMA Group, which questioned the Aug. 28, 2019 ruling in favor of the PCSO cancelation of the joint venture deal with the paper supplier.