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LEGAZPI CITY: The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Albay
slammed the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office for granting the
Pilipinas Pacific Rim Corp. a one-year extension in operating the
small-town lottery despite reported irregularities and for failing
to present the provincial board with a report.
Board Member Neil Montallana
strongly denounced the PCSO during the regular session of the
provincial board on Tuesday after board member Harold Imperial,
chairman of the committee on gambling and amusement reported that
the PCSO granted Pilipinas Pacific Rim Corp. a year’s extension
for its STL operation.
Montallana instructed Jun Vibal,
provincial board secretary, to invite the PCSO representatives in
Bicol region to appear before the next session to explain why they
have granted the franchise to PPRC despite their failure to submit a
report before the approval of the franchise.
In 2006, the provincial board
council enacted at least two resolutions endorsing to the Philippine
Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) the application of Pilipinas
Pacific Rim Corp., to manage STL in the province as an alternative
to the jueteng operation but it could be invalidated anytime if the
operator violates the provisions of the enacted laws.
On February 1, 2007, the PCSO
board approved the said application and granted the franchise to
Pilipinas Pacific Rim Corp. to manage small-town lotteries in
Legazpi, and Camalig in the second district, Polangui, Libon, Oas,
Guinobatan, Ligao and Pioduran in the third district and in the
towns of Sto. Domingo, Malinao, Tiwi, Malilipot, Bacacay and Tabaco
City.
--Rhaydz B. Barcia
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