‘Peryahan ng Bayan’ illegal – PCSO
Credit to Author: The Manila Times| Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2018 16:31:03 +0000
“Huwag magpaloko, Huwag magpagoyo (Don’t be deceived. Don’t be duped)!”
This was the stern warning of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Alexander Balutan regarding the continued illegal operations of the Peryahan ng Bayan by Globaltech Mobile Online Corp.
Balutan stood firm that the peryahan is no longer recognized or authorized by the PCSO and thus it is operating illegally.
“We respect the resolution of the Department of Justice (DoJ) on the case filed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)against the arrested tellers of Globaltech, but we have stood our ground that the peryahan being operated by Globaltech is illegal. It’s a front of illegal numbers game jueteng,” Balutan said.
He added that the PCSO, together with law enforcement agencies such as the NBI, would not be deterred by the DoJ’s resolution from implementing crackdowns on peryahan operations nationwide.
On March 2, 2016, the PCSO issued Board Resolution 51, Series of 2016, terminating the Deed of Authority (DoA) of Globaltech to operate peryahan and on Oct. 13, 2017, the Pasig City Regional Trial Court (RTC), Branch 161 denied Globaltech’s motion for issuance of a writ of injunction.
“PCSO revenues have been adversely affected by the continued operation of illegal gambling which unfairly competes with our legal gaming products, particularly the Small Town Lottery (STL), and so the agency has to act by stopping the operations of Globaltech nationwide,” Balutan said.
“We are going all out to stop illegal gambling activities throughout the country, to protect our legal gaming products, particularly the STL,” he added.
Globaltech’s permit was terminated in 2016 for supposed non-remittance of earnings worth about P100 million.
Last month, the NBI and PCSO representatives raided the office of Globaltech in Quezon City and arrested 57 people involved in the illegal activity. More operations conducted in Cebu and Mandaue saw the arrest of 40 suspects.
All the suspects were charged for violating Republic Act (RA) 9287 or the “Act to Increase Penalties Against Illegal Numbers Games.” Some were also facing charges for violation of RA 10175 or the “Cyber Crime Prevention Act.”
The DoJ prosecutors had dismissed the charges against the Quezon City suspects, citing an alleged “status quo ante” issued by a court.
Globaltech has sought a writ of injunction but this was dismissed by the same court on Oct. 13, 2017.
“All told, the Motion for Issuance of Writ of Injunction is denied for lack of merit and the parties are directed upon receipts of this order to arbitrate pursuant to the Special Rules of Court on Alternative Dispute Resolution,” the court said.
The post ‘Peryahan ng Bayan’ illegal – PCSO appeared first on The Manila Times Online.