24 Aug Pagcor says “it is a very difficult job” To Merge With PCSO
President Rodrigo Duterte intends to combine Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), and both parties are willing to follow orders.
On August 23, Tuesday, Andrea Domingo, Pagcor chairperson said during the budget briefing at the House of Representatives that combining both agencies “is going to be a very difficult job.”
Luis Raymund Villafuerte Jr., Camarines Sur 2nd District Representative called for Domingo to uphold talks about the possible union with PCSO. As he speaks, “I’ve been reading there’s a plan to merge PCSO and Pagcor because the main source of revenue of PCSO is actually gaming, which is under your jurisdiction. What is your stand on this matter?”
Domingo responded, “It’s going to be [a combination of] what we would call the masa end up to the international level end…. You’d have to hire really good managers to manage that. But on the point of logic, yes, all of it is [about] games. If it is the policy of the national government, I will not object it.”
Jose Ferdinand Rojas II, PCSO vice chairperson and general manager told Rappler – social news network, that he was not notified about the discussion yet he would support and follow it if its the order of the Duterte administration. He even sent a text message saying, “Haven’t heard about it yet. If ever, we leave it up to the Office of the President.”
Pagcor and PCSO met with House committee on appropriations as sources of funds for the Philippine government and not to secure their proposed 2017 budget.
Through sweepstakes, lotto express, small town lottery and online lottery, PCSO could produce money for health programs and other medical services.
Pagcor funds nation-building program such as education projects by the use of country’s gaming and entertainment industry. However, President Duterte prefers to realign Pagcor’s social responsibility funds to healthcare services.
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