PCSO probes 'ghost radio stations'

MANILA, Philippines - The newly installed officials of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) have started an audit of the multimillion-peso advertisement program of the agency to verify so-called “ghost radio stations” and other nonexistent media establishments that got advertising contracts.

Jose Ferdinand Rojas II, the new PCSO general manager, told reporters during the news forum Friday Balitaan at Hotel Rembrandt in Quezon City that they are reviewing all the contracts forged by the previous management and assured the people that only legitimate media agencies would be paid.

Rojas was reacting to reports that PCSO has incurred millions of pesos in debt for placing advertisements in various newspapers and other media outlets.

The new officials are investigating if some erring PCSO officials allegedly used the advertising contracts to steal money from the agency.

“We are conducting an audit to ensure that only legitimate media entities are paid,” he said.

Rojas said advertising contracts should comply with the documentary requirements in accordance with the mandate of the PCSO.

Aside from the review of the advertising contracts, the PCSO is also reviewing the operations of the Small Town Lottery (STL) following complaints from various sectors that some STL operators are also operating illegal numbers games like jueteng.

“We will make the report public as soon as we wind up our audit and review,” he said.