MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) has been questionably spending hundreds of millions of pesos in public funds yet it has been remiss in its obligation to help finance the country’s fight against illegal drugs.
In fact, it already owes the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) P24 million which represents the latter’s share of unclaimed and forfeited sweepstakes and lotto winnings for the past two years.
The Commission on Audit (COA), in its 2010 report, said the PCSO is mandated by the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act to help fund the anti-illegal drug operations in the country.
State auditors explained that under Section 87 of Republic Act 9165 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), the DDB collects 10 percent of all unclaimed and forfeited sweepstakes and lotto prizes which should not be less than P12 million yearly.
“The collected amount is to be constituted as a special account in the general fund,” the COA report read, noting that the PCSO, despite demands, has not complied.
State auditors said letter requests for the release of the DDB’s share on unclaimed and forfeited sweepstakes and lotto prizes dated June 28, 2010, July 22, 2010, and Jan. 19, 2011 were sent to concerned officials.
However, there has been no response from PCSO which means that the anti-drug agency, for the years 2009 and 2010, has been deprived of funds and the implementation of RA 9165.
“We recommended and management agreed to make a representation with the PCSO management for the collection of the board’s share on unclaimed and forfeited sweepstakes and lotto prizes as required by law,” the COA report said.