Stopping illegal gambling is not PCSO’s job

THIS REFERS to the news article “Pangasinan gambling battleground” (Inquirer, 4/20/11), specifically paragraphs 8 and 9, where it was stated that the National Bureau of Investigation “had conducted the anti-jueteng raids on the requests of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) …” and that “the PCSO had made the request based on the jueteng operation’s effect on the revenues of authorized Small Town Lottery (STL, now Loterya ng Bayan) operators…,” respectively.

May we clarify that we have not requested any anti-jueteng raids in the province of Pangasinan for it is not within the ambit or scope of influence of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. Fundamentally, our office is focused on improving the quality of life of the Filipino people by raising and providing funds for health programs, medical assistance and services, and charities.

May we also clarify that the PCSO has no Small Town Lottery in Pangasinan.

If there is illegal gambling in Pangasinan, the problem is, as we all know, the responsibility of the Department of Interior and Local Government and the Philippine National Police.

—MARGARITA P. JUICO, chair,
Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office,
PICC, CCP Complex,
Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City