Lawmakers wanted to ask PCSO how the agency utilized its P100-million confidential fund for 2023 in connection with the crackdown on illegal gambling, but the officials who have the answers did not attend the hearing
MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office received a tongue-lashing from some lawmakers because of the absence of its top officials from House budget deliberations.
This left PCSO Assistant General Manager Lauro Patiag with the task of explaining how the agency is using its confidential fund in 2023 to go after illegal gambling operators, except that he did not have the answers. “I’m not competent to respond to that because [my office] does not handle confidential funds,” Patiag said, responding to a query by Surigao del Norte 2nd District Representative Ace Barbers.“The officer who knows all the answers to the questions on confidential fund is not present in today’s hearing. What I may suggest is on a voluntary basis, they can submit to the committee relevant information on the confidential funds,” quipped House appropriations senior vice chairperson Stella Quimbo.
GRILLED. PCSO officials draw flak for the absence of its top officials from House budget deliberations on September 12, 2023.“I feel insulted that the big bosses of the government-owned and controlled corporation known as PCSO wouldn’t attend the budget hearings insofar as the budget is concerned, while secretaries of different departments of governments would be present,” said Antipolo 2nd District Representative Romeo Acop.
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