PCSO invites senators to observe lotto processes, draws

PHILIPPINE Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Mel Robles on Monday said the PCSO was opening its doors to members of the Senate Committee on Games and Amusements for them to observe and come up with an objective conclusion and recommendations on the matter.

Robles explained that PCSO was confident that its lottery processes were beyond reproach, and that the best way to erase any doubts about the integrity of results was for the senators to see for themselves how the draws were being conducted.

Going one step farther, Robles even asked the senators to conduct an unannounced inspection to remove any doubt about the integrity of the lottery operations.

In a letter dated January 22, Robles invited the lawmakers “to witness the entire lotto draw process from the pre-draw preparations to the actual draw itself for any lotto draw on any day even without prior notice” in the interest of transparency.

The letter was addressed to Sen. Manuel Lapid, committee chairman; vice chairpersons Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go and Sen. Rafael “Raffy” Tulfo, vice chairmen; and Sen. Jose Pimentel “Jinggoy Estrada” Ejercito Jr., Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., Sen. Francis Tolentino and Sen. Ana Theresia “Risa” Hontiveros, committee members.

“We are committed to openness and accountability in the conduct of all our lottery activities. We believe that fostering transparency in the lotto draw process is crucial in maintaining public trust and confidence in the integrity of our operations,” Robles stressed.