PCSO laments restraining order

A Makati City court issued a temporary restraining order against the PCSO’s bidding for the National Online Lottery System.

Philippines.- The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) had intentions to win the five-year lease of the National Online Lottery System (NOLS) but has been rejected by a temporary restraining order (TRO) issued by a Makati City court. The measure was filed before court by the Philippine Gaming Management Corporation (PGMC), another of the 17 bidders for the US$215.7 million system.

PCSO Chairman Jose Jorge Corpuz lamented the filing by the PGMC and said: “Revenues generated by the games of PCSO sustain financial assistance for the poor needing hospitalization and medical attention. The bidding for our lottery system promises entertaining games and wider market share that will guarantee government funds. We need to have a new state-of-the-art and better lottery system that costs cheaper than our current lottery lease system.”

He also added that, “as far as PCSO is concerned, the NOLS was carefully and tediously studied to ensure that the government and the people are protected.”

Even as they stated their respect for the “wisdom of the judge” in issuing the TRO and that they shall comply with the court decision, the PCSO wants the court to strike a balance and consider the agency’s clients, who are in need and depend on its charity services, which are based in its games. And that includes lotteries.

As said by Alexander Balutan, PCSO General Manager, this is the first time that, since the start of the organism lotto games over 30 years ago, it opened for public bidding supply and delivery of its Online Lottery System. He further added that revenues from the NOLS would fund the health and medical programs of the PCSO and the government, turning beneficial for millions of Filipinos in the long term.