PCO chief decries ‘demolition job’

MANILA, Philippines — Nothing but a “demolition job.”

This was how Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Jay Ruiz described the allegation that he benefited from a P206-million deal with the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

Speaking to Malacañang reporters yesterday, Ruiz branded as “fake news” a Politiko report stating that he is a co-owner of Digital8 Inc., which entered into a joint venture with state-run Intercontinental Broadcasting Corp. (IBC-13) last year for the production and broadcast of PCSO’s lotto draws and other games.

“Actually, I did not want to dignify the story because it’s fake news. First of all, I don’t own a share. I’m not a stockholder. I am not an owner of Digital 8. I represented Digital8 in the joint venture agreement between IBC-13 and PCSO. I never owned that company,” Ruiz said.

As PCO secretary, Ruiz said his goal is to crack down on fake news, not knowing he himself would be victimized by it.

He urged the media to check the owners of Digital8 with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Asked what could be the motive behind the publication of the story, Ruiz cited the reorganization in the PCO.

In Congress, House Deputy Majority Leader and La Union Rep. Paolo Ortega V and Bataan Rep. Geraldine Roman backed President Marcos’ stand against fake news. — Jose Rodel Clapano