Ex-lawmakers eyed for top PCSO post

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino is considering three former lawmakers to chair the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), a post that has remained vacant since May, sources said yesterday.

The source from the administration said three former legislators being eyed to head the PCSO are Florencio Noel of the An Waray party-list group, Hernani Braganza of Pangasinan and Edgar San Luis of Laguna.

The PCSO chairmanship became vacant after the resignation of Margie Juico in May amid rumors that she was forced to leave following a run-in with Interior Secretary Mar Roxas, who was briefly suspended as member of the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club where Juico’s husband is president. Roxas was suspended for berating two club employees.

Juico said she resigned for health reasons.

Roxas is reportedly endorsing Braganza and San Luis, while Noel is believed to have the strong endorsement of some senators and leaders of the House of Representatives.

But another source from the administration’s Liberal Party said Noel has undergone some briefings with PCSO officials.