An ally of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Sunday called for a stop to what she called the politicization of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, urging government to instead file charges against those who had received PCSO funds illegally.
Zambales Rep. Milagros Magsaysay made the call even as some of the lawmakers tagged as recipient of funds from the PCSO insisted the “donations" were above board.
“Dalhin yan lahat sa korte at korte na maghusga. Ang dami-daming lumalabas. The final arbiter is the courts, I’d rather insulate the PCSO from politics," Magsaysay said in an interview on dzBB radio.
The PCSO on Sunday claimed at least eight lawmakers had received P92.2 million in endowments for their constituents’ hospital and medical expenses from 2007 to 2010.
Magsaysay lamented that with these accusations, the PCSO may no longer be used in a constructive manner. She said she felt sorry for the patients who benefited from the funds but were used for politicking.
“Ang patients naawa ako nadadamay sila rito, napupulitika sila rito," she said.
On the other hand, Magsaysay said the lawmakers linked to the mess should air their side.
“We know how to police our own ranks," she said.
No irregularity
Meanwhile, one of the recipients of the P92.2-million "donation" called for an investigation into the matter, including the giving of funds and vehicles to Catholic Church officials.
Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rufus Rodriguez said that while the PCSO gave only P1.5 million of the P5 million he had requested, he insisted he pocketed “not a single centavo."
“This was requested so it can put money to three wards (in two hospitals). Of the P5 million, only P1.5 million was released. Wala akong natanggap a single centavo, napunta sa hospital yan," he said in a separate interview on dzBB.
He said he is “definitely" willing to face an investigation. “As far as I’m concerned this is above board," he said.
Another recipient, Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez, insisted he did not benefit from the funds and that the PCSO money went to the beneficiaries, a dzBB report said.
Still another lawmaker, Nueva Ecija Rep. Rodolfo Antonino, said“Wala akong nakikitang labag sa batas, wala akong nakikitang labag sa mandate ng PCSO sa charity work," he said in another interview on dzBB.
Lawmakers who supposedly received the P92.2 million in endowments from the PCSO are: Camarines Sur Rep. Diosdado Arroyo (P500,000 for Naga City hospital);
Danilo Rep. Danilo Suarez (P68 million for 16 hospitals);
Negros Oriental Rep. George Arnaiz (P11.5 million);
Bulacan Rep. Ma. Victoria Sy-Alvarado (P8 million);
Nueva Ecija Rep. Antonino (P5 million);
Cagayan de Oro Rep. Rodriguez (P5 million);
Former Bulacan Rep. Lorna Silverio; and
Former North Cotabato Representative Emmylou Talino Mendoza (P1.2 million).Meanwhile, the Senate blue ribbon committee had already begun its own investigation on alleged PCSO bribes given to congressmen and bishops. — MRT/LBG,
