LATEST NEWS UPDATE

Duterte declares lotto, STL, other PCSO games illegal

President Rodrigo Duterte
has ordered the closure of
all gaming schemes
operated, licensed, and
franchised by the Philippine
Charity Sweepstakes Office
(PCSO) due to "massive
corruption."
"Pending investigation, lahat ho
ng laro ng (all games such as)
lotto, STL (small town lottery),
Peryahan ng Bayan, or whatever
nature…. I said all gaming
activities, gambling, that got their
franchise from government
through PCSO are, as of today,
suspended or terminated because
of massive corruption," Duterte
said in a televised message late
Friday night, July 26.
The President said that beginning
Saturday, July 27, "all transactions
and gaming, wager of bets, becomes
illegal."He said the order is grounded
on "the preservation of the resources
of the nation."I have to do it. I will not
honor transactions that are clearly on
the side of, you know, scheming
people, the Republic of the
Philippines, of the money due it. Puro
dayaan lahat (It's all cheating). At
'yung mga kontrata ay parang (And
the contracts seem to be) crafted in
favor of corruption and to favor other
corporations and people. I will not
allow it," the President explained.
He said he will not honor any order
from any court that will stop the
government's "desire to go into a
massive investigation for the massive
corruption that is existing in the
PCSO."
Duterte has also ordered the police and the
military to arrest people "engaged in gambling
activities in connection with the franchises,
licenses, concessions granted by the
PCSO.""Talagang hiningi ninyo. Sinabi
ko na nga walang corruption.
Hinihingi talaga ninyo, ibigay ko sa
inyo. (You really asked for it. I already said
no corruption. You really asked for it, so I'll
give it to you.) You've offered something to tie
the people, allowing gambling and maybe it
can help in the economic activity because
money goes around. But if you fuck
government, that's something else," he added.
Duterte's order comes months after the firing
of PCSO general manager Alexander Balutan in
March over "serious allegations of
corruption."
The President announced Balutan's
replacement, Cebu City Police Director Royina
Garma, last June 24.

HIGHLIGHTS: Pacquiao vs
Thurman - WBA Super Welterweight
Name: Emmanuel Height: 5 ft 5.5 in
Dapidran Pacquiao (166 cm)[4 Championship

Weight(s) Reach:67 in (170 The 40-year-old Pacquiao out-dueled unbeaten

cm)[4] champion Keith Thurman over 12 all-action rounds
Light flyweight
Nationality: Filipino on Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena to
Flyweight capture the WBA title in a thrilling split decision.
Born:December 17, The instant classic saw two judges score the fight
Super bantamweight 1978 (age 40) 115-112 for Pacquiao while the third had it 114-
Kibawe, Bukidnon, 113 for Thurman. CBS Sports also scored it 114-113
Featherweight
Philippines for Thurman.
Super featherweight
Boxing record
Lightweight
Wins: 62
Light welterweight
Losses: 7
Welterweight
Draws: 2
Light middleweight