Ex-PCSO GM on Lacson's allegations: Why pick on generals?

Former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager Alexander Balutan on Thursday belied Senator Panfilo Lacson's claim that retired police and military officials were granted Small-Time Lottery (STL) franchises.

"Not true! Please name those generals! If ever, they are incorporators who stake their hard-earned retirement pension but not the owner of the ASA (Authorized STL Agent) that went to rigid selection process," Balutan said in a report on GMA News TV's State of the Nation with Jessica Soho.

He also questioned why Lacson directs the allegation only to generals.

"But why pick on generals only? There are STL operators who are lawyers, engineers, contractors, etc." Balutan said.

Balutan has been appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte to PCSO in 2016. The Palace said he was fired last March "due to serious allegations of corruption."

It, later on, said that Balutan "opted to resign" out of delicadeza.

Lacson claimed that the number of generals holding STL franchises spiked when Balutan was at the helm of PCSO.

"Other information would indicate na mga retired police and military officers ang nakakuha ng franchise. Nakapangalan lang sa mga dummies pero sila 'yung behind," the senator said.

Last week, Duterte suspended PCSO's gaming operations such as the STL, Keno, Peryahan ng Bayan, and Lotto due to alleged corruption.

The Palace, however, lifted the suspension of Lotto operations on Tuesday. —Dona Magsino/ LDF, GMA News