MARCH 23, 2016

NR # 4148B

House panel starts probe on PCSOs charity programs

The House Committee on Games and Amusements has started its probe on the Philippine Charity
Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) charity programs and operations.
Rep. Elpidio F. Barzaga Jr. (4th District, Cavite), committee chairman, said the PCSO officials were
summoned by the panel to shed light on the status of its charity programs.
Barzaga asked the PCSO directors to expound on the status of its programs and operations, as well as
answer pertinent issues and concerns raised by lawmakers.
Rubin Magno, head of the PCSO Charity Assistance Department, told the House body that the PCSO
only processes whatever requests for financial assistance it receives.
Magno admitted that there was no official information sent to local government units (LGUs) and
even to the committee about the existence of this program.
But Rep. Roy M. Loyola (5th District, Cavite) said two barangay chairpersons from his district
notified him that someone from the PCSO went to their barangay office and told them of the charity program.
Loyola said the PCSO representatives even told the two barangay captains that they only have to send
a letter request to avail themselves of this assistance.
On the PCSOs suspension of the Individual Medical Assistance Program (IMAP), PCSO Assistant
General Manager Larry Cedro said the agency had adopted the policy of exhausting first the patients benefits
under the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) before using the funds from IMAP.
Cedro said the PCSO Board is now reviewing a new policy allowing IMAP to complement and
augment the benefits under the PhilHealth.
During the hearing, Reps. Maria Zenaida Angping (3rd District, Manila) and Rosenda Ann Ocampo
(6th District, Manila) also questioned the PCSOs policy on Medicine Donation Program for Barangays.
Angping said all barangays nationwide should be treated equally in the grant of financial assistance
under this program of the PCSO.
PCSO General Manager Jose Ferdinand Rojas III said the PCSOs legal department is still in the
process of validating the sales reports of operators from Peryahan ng Bayan operations.
Arnel Casas, PCSO Central Operations Manager said the total sales from Peryahan ng Bayan
operations covering 2014 and 2015 amounting to P12 million did not meet the target.
Casas also mentioned that the operation of Peryahan ng Bayan has been extended up to March 2016.
Barzaga also asked the Philippine National Police (PNP) to submit a report, including the detailed
case information, on the apprehended illegal gambling agents who were claiming that they are legitimate STL
operators. (30) lvc