Sa pagdinig ng Senate Committee on Games and Amusement, inilatag ni Sen. Raffy Tulfo ang ilang iregularidad sa lotto ng Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). Isa na rito ang kaso ng isang mananaya na 37 beses umanong nanalo sa loob ng anim na buwan, na ang kabuuang premyo na nakubra ay umabot sa P8.325 para sa three-digit lotto.
Pinabulaanan naman ni PCSO General Manager Melquiades Robles ang mga akusasyong ito. Depensa ni Robles, ang tinutukoy umano ni Sen. Tulfo ay isang “lotto agent” na pinakiusapan ng mga nanalong mananaya na kumuha ng kanilang papremyo.
Panoorin ang kanyang buong panayam kaugnay sa iba't ibang isyung ibinabato sa PCSO sa The Mangahas Interviews.
BASAHIN ang pahayag ng POLAAi: https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/901987/lottery-agents-dare-pcso-s-robles-to-show-proof-of-scam/story
Pinabulaanan naman ni PCSO General Manager Melquiades Robles ang mga akusasyong ito. Depensa ni Robles, ang tinutukoy umano ni Sen. Tulfo ay isang “lotto agent” na pinakiusapan ng mga nanalong mananaya na kumuha ng kanilang papremyo.
Panoorin ang kanyang buong panayam kaugnay sa iba't ibang isyung ibinabato sa PCSO sa The Mangahas Interviews.
BASAHIN ang pahayag ng POLAAi: https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/901987/lottery-agents-dare-pcso-s-robles-to-show-proof-of-scam/story
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NewsTranscript
00:00 [Music]
00:05 Are you a sucker for lottery?
00:07 Have you won or have you always lost?
00:10 Let's talk about the ongoing issues regarding the lottery games of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office
00:17 with General Manager Melquiades Mel Robles.
00:21 Good day to you, Melu, and to all of our viewers.
00:25 Okay. Let's talk about the lottery.
00:28 There are many issues that you are facing in the Senate.
00:32 But one of them is, can you do magic in the lottery?
00:36 You lost P90 million, you will win P300 million, Senator Tulfo said.
00:42 Let's clear those issues first.
00:45 Well, actually, it's good that he said that.
00:48 He said, "Invest."
00:50 He invested.
00:52 That's wrong. No one invests in PCSO. That's a big misinformation.
01:00 He didn't say that.
01:02 No one can invest in PCSO because it's a corporation owned by the government.
01:10 If he insists on investing, that's fake news. That's not true.
01:16 You're the one who said it's fake. If it's magic, you said P90 million, you will win.
01:22 If it's magic, you don't need P90 million.
01:26 It's P20. Why would you invest?
01:29 What we're saying is, it is beyond reproach.
01:33 This is not a speculation.
01:36 I have a paper here.
01:38 I call it WLA, World Lottery Association, a certification of PCSO.
01:45 This is a certification that we worked hard to earn the trust of the regulators and the government.
01:53 This is what we're saying that we have a level one certification.
01:57 This cannot be bought directly.
02:00 This is what we worked hard for over the years.
02:03 This is our seal of excellence from the World Lottery Association.
02:08 This is our fight against allegations that have no basis, but are just a testimony.
02:16 Okay.
02:17 It cannot be bought. I will put my work there.
02:22 If our games can be rigged, I will resign tomorrow.
02:28 That's what I believe.
02:31 All right. Many lawmakers are calling for this.
02:35 Let's put aside the issues and lay out the premises.
02:39 There are six different lotto games plus seven e-lotto games.
02:45 Tell us the difference between those, the 642 and 632.
02:48 So that everyone can understand.
02:51 In 2D games, you can only choose two numbers from the two machines.
02:58 In 3D, it's the same.
03:01 There are three machines.
03:03 In 4D, it's the same.
03:04 In 6D, that's our lower tier.
03:08 The opposite is our jackpot games, the 642.
03:14 You can choose a number out of the 42 numbers.
03:20 There are 645, 649, 655, 658.
03:26 Those are the jackpot games.
03:30 Okay. And there's e-lotto?
03:32 Yes. E-lotto is just a payment platform.
03:36 That's what the games are using.
03:39 All right. Let's clarify.
03:41 How much is the net worth per week of bets that you raise?
03:47 Just to clarify to the people how important is the lotto for PCSO?
03:53 For every 20 pesos, this is what I call revenue allocation,
03:59 55% goes to the prize fund, 15% for operating fund, and 30% to the charity.
04:09 Okay. 30% to the charity. What charity projects are you talking about?
04:14 There are many.
04:17 We have our medical assistance program where people come to help in their hospital needs,
04:25 in medicine, in consulting, and we also have medical devices.
04:30 We provide ambulances to each country.
04:34 Those are examples of our charitable work.
04:38 So in short, if you can give hundreds of millions of prizes,
04:43 you can give 55% of your collection?
04:47 Yes. According to the charter.
04:50 That's the law. You need to give the prize at 55%.
04:56 So this lotto is a big project.
04:59 Can some people tell us the logic behind why people are so eager to bet on the lotto?
05:08 This is what they call looking for pay dirt. What is the logic?
05:14 What are you looking for? Who are the people betting and why are they still betting?
05:20 Well, I think it's natural for Filipinos to gamble.
05:24 You never know, it's always like that.
05:27 So that life can change.
05:31 One day, someone came and claimed he's a contractor from Quezon.
05:36 I was surprised.
05:38 I thought someone is winning here.
05:40 He said, "I've been betting for 24 years and he won a lot.
05:48 I think he won 24 million.
05:50 He's a high-form, 18, because 20% of the winnings go to taxes and prize."
05:59 He said, "You know, I won here, but it's not money.
06:02 Peace of mind." I said, "Why?"
06:06 He said, "I owe a lot because he caught COVID."
06:09 Apparently, he's a contractor.
06:11 He has a business, he's a big shot.
06:13 He said, "This is just right. I'll pay all my debts."
06:17 He said, "All told, I'll earn 4 million."
06:20 So this is your last chance to gamble if you have a problem in the near future.
06:29 Of course, if you don't win, you have a consolation prize that you helped the contractor.
06:34 We use his slogan, "In every bet, there's a contractor." That's what we use.
06:40 But in every bet, some people have been taking care of their numbers for years and they don't win.
06:46 What's the profile of the winners? It seems there's an issue there.
06:50 Are they real people?
06:52 I don't have a profile. I wish I could tell you.
06:55 Are they real people? They are real.
06:58 We have a video and a picture of them.
07:00 In fact, we gave them our list.
07:04 That's why it's a bit delicate.
07:08 But we might say that we're hiding something.
07:11 You decide.
07:13 We released the document they're quoting from us.
07:18 That's why we said, don't interpret it.
07:21 Find a way. We have a plan.
07:24 Don't... just call us when you can explain it to us.
07:30 For example, they said the winners are 0-0, even their team.
07:35 If you're informal, a taxpayer, you don't have a team.
07:40 So what do you do? You have to pay the law.
07:43 The BIR also taught us, you don't put a number 0-0, as long as you pay the tax, but that becomes a final tax.
07:52 That means you can't refund it if you have a tax rebate or tax refund that you need.
07:57 Look at those things. You just have to ask.
08:01 If there are a lot of losers, what do you do?
08:04 Some are repeatedly winning, according to the Senate hearing.
08:09 Some have won 20 times already, always as winners.
08:13 Okay.
08:15 It's a good trick bait. "I've won 20 jackpots in a month."
08:21 I haven't won 20 jackpots in one month.
08:26 Even if I won two, but there are winners on the lower tier.
08:32 Even if there are more, I don't have 20, we see 35, even more than that.
08:37 If you're betting every day, the chances of winning today are also high.
08:43 More than that, as I said, since the ticket is a bearer instrument,
08:49 this is a document without a name, address, or information at all when you buy it,
08:56 that's a bearer instrument.
08:58 What does that mean? It's like a cheque, if you have it.
09:01 Whoever has it can claim it.
09:05 I'm saying, another trick, especially in the province,
09:11 the so-called lucky place, again, misinformation,
09:15 a bit intentional or you really don't know.
09:20 That's how it is in the province.
09:22 If the 10,000 below is far, you can cash it in at the outlet.
09:27 10,000 and above up to 300,000, you need to go to the branch.
09:32 Usually, the branch is in the capital.
09:36 If you're in the town, you have an outlet, you need to go there.
09:39 If you have 12, 15, 20 mil, you can cash in the lotto agent.
09:46 You need to go there every week because they get supplies and they're remitting.
09:51 So you need to go there at the same time. That is a practice.
09:54 So whoever you ask, if they're betting, they need to go there at the same time.
09:59 You will never see that in a jackpot.
10:01 Of course, it will run away if you have 10 million.
10:05 That's not a big deal.
10:07 That's why I'm signing the winning ticket so if you don't want to use it,
10:12 you can collect it, you can't exchange it if you're not the one signing it.
10:17 All right. Mr. Mel, the issue is the so-called third-party claimant.
10:21 It means that there's a winner and Senator Tulfo said that it's not allowed.
10:27 The winner should be the bearer of the ticket.
10:31 Is there such a law?
10:33 There's no such law.
10:35 Again, I said that the principle of the bearer instrument,
10:39 and I didn't do it like I did earlier.
10:42 I think I did it for practical purposes.
10:45 Teach them.
10:46 If all the winners are intervening and they have a lot of tickets,
10:50 how can that be for practical purposes?
10:52 Even in betting, you're asking about betting,
10:55 if there's a lot of tickets, the draw is over and you're still interviewing.
11:00 That is a very sound management practice.
11:03 Okay.
11:04 Because we need tickets.
11:06 That's why we want this e-lotto.
11:12 This e-lotto is on your device, full transparency,
11:16 whoever is registered there and you can also collect.
11:20 Those are the advantages or advantages of this technology.
11:26 For the winners, there are doubts, maybe you're a relative or a friend or a cousin of the CPSO.
11:35 If you lose, you won't be felt.
11:37 The worst is if you don't give up.
11:40 That's the worst.
11:41 Those who doubt but don't give up because they don't understand.
11:44 That's the worst kind of skeptic I can call.
11:48 Those who doubt but don't give up, that's the worst.
11:51 Because they don't understand that there are a lot of people who give up every day and a lot of people win every day.
11:58 In some cases, those who collect every day, of course on record, they are the winners.
12:04 Low-tier, low-tier.
12:06 Low-tier is only four or five, but believe me, those who saw it said,
12:10 why are all the winners 225?
12:14 The one who is a relative, I can answer that easily if I call.
12:19 That's the problem.
12:21 The relative is acting like he knows everything.
12:23 We are the ones who submitted the document.
12:26 The relative is answering the question.
12:28 Why are the 225 the same?
12:32 Someone is betting for 500.
12:35 So if we multiply that by four or five, that's 550 tickets.
12:42 The total is 225,000.
12:46 Can we do anything if that's the ticket?
12:49 We have pictures of the tickets.
12:51 GM, the problem is that only a few people win and a lot of people lose.
12:56 There was a doubt on February 27, your live broadcast of the selection of winners.
13:04 There was a glitch and you went off-air. You were not on the air.
13:09 First of all, it's way, way below me, but I'll answer that.
13:12 It's an operation, but I'll answer that.
13:14 You were driving your car, you checked everything, the car, the pressure, everything, and you flat out.
13:23 Did something bad happen? Did you do something wrong?
13:26 You flat out for some reason.
13:28 What's the worst part?
13:30 What's the worst part is if you don't have a contingency, you don't have a spare tire, you don't have a tire race, you don't have a jack and you don't have a license to replace the tires.
13:38 But the mechanical problem is unforeseen for that matter because you checked everything.
13:43 You did all the pre-draw preparation and it's not.
13:47 Since that's mechanical, you can't say anything.
13:50 It's a human being, it's floating.
13:52 It's a malfunction.
13:53 Instead of it being trapped, it was captured, but it didn't capture.
13:57 For some reason, it fell down. The ball fell down again.
14:00 We have an ISO certified response.
14:07 This is not a joke.
14:08 The problem is if you're looking from a lens of a malicious person.
14:12 You checked everything, you saw the malicious person.
14:16 The ball fell down, I have a response.
14:20 I will repeat the three pre-draws.
14:24 You will just repeat according to the procedure, that's the only thing that failed.
14:28 You will draw that again.
14:30 Why are you looking for something that you can't hold?
14:35 You will think about it.
14:37 We're telling you that was all documented.
14:40 I don't know why it's not on air.
14:43 Maybe their on air is limited on TV because you can't wait.
14:48 Your airtime is limited.
14:50 Even then, that doesn't show anything.
14:54 That doesn't mean anything because that's the procedure.
14:58 If you're caught, you will tell your driver that you're stupid and a thief.
15:03 You do not say that because he did all the preparations and things happened.
15:08 The verdict of proof is on the accuser.
15:12 You will be the one to prove it because we're doing what we're doing.
15:16 Is it normal that you will be the one to accuse and you will be the one to prove that you did nothing?
15:22 I think that's wrong.
15:24 But GM, your protocol is that if there's a glitch, you will leave the air.
15:29 But you explained how the procedure is still intact, where the ball should have fallen.
15:36 How will you remove the doubt? Why do you need to be off air?
15:40 I really don't know what is off air.
15:44 If it's off air on broadcast, I would presume that the time is limited.
15:49 I would presume.
15:51 It's not possible that something bad will happen.
15:54 I'm really not familiar with that, why it's off air.
15:57 But even then, the whole procedure was recorded.
16:00 There are many people who are watching.
16:03 They're not the ones who are watching.
16:05 There are many people who are watching.
16:07 This is a 3D game.
16:09 So just to be clear, there's a person from the Department of Trade and Industry.
16:15 Who else?
16:16 That's from the COA.
16:18 Yes, the Commission on Oil.
16:20 From the community, there's a person from the community.
16:25 All of them can ask questions.
16:28 In fact, we did confirm it because it happened yesterday.
16:33 I'm not around the month.
16:34 All right.
16:35 But things happen.
16:39 If something happens, there's a danger.
16:41 It's a big problem.
16:42 There are many bases.
16:45 So it's really a matter of looking from a lens.
16:48 If it's not proven, that's it.
16:52 Tell us, how do you prepare for a draw and ensure that the outcome is fair?
16:58 Well, it's like this.
17:01 There are suitcases that contain balls.
17:07 One set of balls.
17:08 There are many of them.
17:09 You can't just take it.
17:11 You have to draw it.
17:12 According to the letter, you get the envelope.
17:14 Okay, we now use this set of balls.
17:17 You get it.
17:18 You open it.
17:19 You weigh it one by one.
17:21 We have a lot of draws.
17:22 We have three draws a day.
17:24 There are different games.
17:26 You know.
17:27 There are many of them.
17:28 You weigh it one by one.
17:30 With videotape.
17:32 The pre-draw procedure.
17:34 If one falls, the whole set is already dequeued.
17:39 For some reason, while you're weighing it, it falls.
17:44 Okay, out.
17:45 The whole set is out.
17:46 Okay.
17:47 Then all the machines will be loaded and dry run.
17:51 It will be captured.
17:52 Okay, it's complete.
17:53 If it falls, it's past the pre-draw testing.
17:56 We can't say anything because it happens.
18:00 After that, the whole process of preparation is about two hours.
18:04 The most boring process I've seen here.
18:07 Because you don't really do anything.
18:09 You weigh it one by one.
18:10 You use it every day.
18:11 You weigh it.
18:12 But anyway, that's the procedure to check.
18:15 To make sure.
18:20 This is how to guarantee everybody.
18:22 All the proceedings are videotaped.
18:24 That's according to the standards of the World Lottery Association, ISO.
18:31 We have all of that.
18:33 Again, with the draw, it's the same.
18:36 There are a lot of people.
18:37 In the pre-draw, there are observers.
18:39 In the pre-draw preparation, especially when it comes to the draw, it's live.
18:44 Live on PTV4, live on Facebook, live on YouTube.
18:48 At least there are 50 people who are watching that.
18:53 There are 50 people.
18:55 It's hard to answer that.
18:57 This is good.
18:58 If I may.
18:59 This is important.
19:00 The integrity.
19:01 At 8.30, the selling will close.
19:05 At 8.32, all the numbers will be retrieved.
19:10 In a flash drive.
19:12 Separate.
19:13 Offline.
19:14 That will be hidden.
19:16 It will not be sealed.
19:19 It will not be allowed in.
19:21 It can be transferred to a computer, but not offline.
19:26 But the original is here.
19:28 At 9 o'clock, it's impossible to manipulate the results.
19:33 You will look for it in the lobby.
19:35 How can it be in if it's offline?
19:38 That's how hard it is to happen.
19:40 That explains why it's not possible that after the balls have been published,
19:46 you will change the results.
19:48 That's impossible.
19:49 That's why I said I will stake my job there.
19:52 I will stake my everything.
19:53 If I can do that.
19:54 GM, their concern is that you will close 2,000 lotto outlets.
20:00 8,500 before and now 6,500.
20:03 The outlet operators said you are favoring e-lotto.
20:08 But their common cost is that you don't have notice.
20:12 That's a good thing.
20:14 I will say this for the nth time.
20:17 I don't want to give the identical.
20:25 That's not good.
20:27 When I came, the Philippine lottery system was in the implementation stage.
20:34 I have nothing to do with that.
20:36 The implementation has arrived.
20:38 Who said that?
20:40 I will go on record.
20:41 I will challenge them.
20:42 The red said that.
20:44 They were the first to complain when we stopped the cancellation of tickets.
20:54 To go on record.
20:56 They were the first to shout that we have a problem.
21:00 That's the cancellation ticket.
21:02 Later, I will be the outlet.
21:04 Later, I will cancel your ticket.
21:09 You thought your ticket went in but we will cancel it in our system.
21:15 Where will the money go?
21:17 To them.
21:18 We saw that.
21:20 The scam.
21:21 If there is a scam here, it's the groups that will complain.
21:26 Not now.
21:27 Where did you see that?
21:29 500,000 a day cancellation.
21:32 But it is not across the board.
21:35 It's good if it's not lump sum.
21:39 You can see it right away.
21:40 What is this?
21:41 Why is this cancellation, if it were an innocent cancellation, why is it lump sum?
21:47 There was even a time, a bigger cancellation in actual sales.
21:51 Okay.
21:52 So, explain to them.
21:54 It means that there are operators that are gaming the gamers.
21:57 For example, there is a ticket but it is cancelled.
22:02 It doesn't go into the system.
22:04 They are canceling your back.
22:07 I can prove that.
22:08 We will see in the days to come.
22:10 We will prove that.
22:11 If we catch them, we will sue them.
22:13 Are these operators included in the 2,000 that were removed or closed by PCSO?
22:21 It means that your investigation is based on that.
22:25 There are operators...
22:28 I'm giving you the backdrop of that kind of intensity because we haven't had a cancelled ticket for months.
22:35 It's been three months so it's big if there's damage.
22:41 What I'm saying is that this has nothing to do with the cancellation of the non-performing.
22:47 Because the criteria was weighed.
22:53 What is the basis criteria?
22:55 You will ask me. Right now we have 6,500 outlets.
22:59 What is the number?
23:02 I think it should be 11,000, which was the same recommendation of management when I was not yet.
23:08 For some reason, they made it 6,500. I have nothing to do with that.
23:12 Okay.
23:13 Now, I want 11,000, which we are doing now.
23:18 What I'm saying is that it's easy, not overnight.
23:22 It's a big thing that needs to be done.
23:25 But they refuse to listen to that.
23:27 They want the theory that it was done by Ilo.
23:30 How can that happen?
23:31 The decision to cancel or to reduce was long ago, even before me.
23:36 I was the one who instituted Ilo.
23:39 That's a big deal.
23:40 If you look at the timeline, I have nothing to do with reducing the number of outlets.
23:45 How can that be?
23:46 Right?
23:47 And then I accused something and I explained.
23:50 How can that be?
23:52 GM, just to clarify, the 6,500 outlets, are all provinces in the Philippines have lotto?
24:01 Yes, but it's very small.
24:03 I will say it myself.
24:05 As a foreign, I talked to and asked him, you hardly exist.
24:10 I don't feel you.
24:11 110 million Filipinos.
24:13 Take the half, 55 million Filipinos and you only have 6,500.
24:17 Not all of them are functioning.
24:19 Sometimes there are down to 6,300.
24:21 I agree.
24:22 I'm the one who's leading the increase of the number of outlets.
24:26 We have measures that we're doing.
24:29 You don't have a solution.
24:32 You're the one who's already doing it.
24:34 What's the need for the outlet operators?
24:36 How much money do they need to fund?
24:39 Are they paying the PCSO to be registered?
24:42 What's the need?
24:44 How much investment if you want to have an outlet?
24:47 And what's your budget?
24:49 It's in the vicinity of 100,000.
24:52 I'm not very sure.
24:53 But what I will do is to democratize.
24:59 I will not pay the PCSO.
25:02 That's what we will do.
25:05 The real problem is the one who will complain.
25:08 That's what the PCSO is really playing.
25:12 They don't have the means to pay the PCSO.
25:15 What does the outlet operator get from you?
25:18 Tickets, supplies, is that how it is?
25:20 Even the machine?
25:22 The right to sell.
25:24 And their commission.
25:26 8.5 commission.
25:28 And if you get hit by a jackpot, you get 1% or up to 1 million.
25:37 That's what the lawmakers said.
25:39 They seem to be divided.
25:40 Some want you to resign because of the issues discussed in the Senate.
25:46 Because lottery is gambling.
25:47 Don't make me say that.
25:49 Because lottery is gambling, I have to resign.
25:51 Anyway.
25:52 Isn't lottery gambling?
25:54 Because even if you have a little money left, you will bet so that you can win a good amount.
26:03 Isn't that gambling?
26:05 It's called gaming.
26:07 Technically.
26:08 Technically it's called gaming.
26:10 I told you it will depend on your lens.
26:13 Okay.
26:14 One month's lottery is another month's gambling.
26:17 Is that what you're saying?
26:19 I came here, it's already gaming.
26:21 I didn't invent this.
26:23 It's already gaming.
26:25 In fact, if you're going to pick on PCSO, this is the only agency who is tasked and mandated to do charity.
26:32 There are so many illegal gamblers.
26:35 Why are we not even taking a look at them?
26:37 We already filed cases against an illegal lottery.
26:40 It's already in the mandalorian.
26:42 So I think in the scheme of things, let's see first if this is the bad bad or is this the bad not so bad.
26:52 Is there a difference between good better best or bad worst worst between PCSO and Pagcor?
27:00 What I know is that we are tasked to do charity.
27:06 This is our means of raising funds.
27:08 We do not make any retention on our earnings.
27:12 That's the difference.
27:14 What I'm saying is if we have action in the field of law, please strengthen our illegal gambling because the draining of more,
27:22 there's no way to get it back.
27:24 That's what we should look at.
27:26 Why are we not? Why are we legal?
27:28 That's what's being focused on.
27:30 We pay taxes, we do charity, there are so many out there.
27:35 We don't need to look for them.
27:37 It's already showing up on your phones, illegal gambling.
27:40 So just saying.
27:43 If you're gaming, what's the category of Pagcor and Pogo?
27:50 I don't know.
27:52 I'm not sure. It's a solid nomenclature.
27:56 But there are pending bills and you want to reduce taxes or taxes on PCSO.
28:03 Please explain why this is.
28:05 Is the government's tax take on PCSO collections big?
28:10 For comparison, Pagcor only pays 5 percent.
28:15 Okay.
28:16 For PCSO, there is already 20 percent documentary stamps.
28:22 It used to be 10 percent in 2017.
28:26 It's only 10 percent.
28:27 So 20 percent versus 5 percent.
28:34 20 percent.
28:35 Then we pay tax on prices, on winnings.
28:39 20 percent again.
28:40 And then we pay corporate income tax, about 20 plus percent.
28:45 And then our automatic earmarkings.
28:48 We give to PhilHealth, Universal Health Care.
28:53 We give to CHED.
28:55 We give to Dangerous Drugs.
28:56 We give to PSC.
28:57 We give to Boy Scouts.
28:58 We give to a host of others.
29:01 So that's what we're paying.
29:05 We're not complaining because that's the law.
29:07 But it harms the capability or function to do charity.
29:13 From one pocket to another, it's already directed to us.
29:19 In fact, our mandate is to do charities, not just sports, for example.
29:24 Not even dangerous drugs.
29:26 But I'm putting it in education.
29:28 Our chapter does not mention that.
29:30 Only charities of national character.
29:32 All right.
29:33 But in reality, the gross revenue of PCSO is billions.
29:39 How much is the remaining income?
29:42 We don't have anything left.
29:45 Everything goes to charity.
29:47 Okay.
29:48 But how much is the gross revenue or collections that you raised?
29:51 For 2023, it was 57 billion.
29:55 We reached 61 billion.
30:00 And we paid taxes of 17 billion.
30:05 That's great because we were never envisioned to be a revenue-generating agency.
30:12 I'm sure the framers of the charter did not think of it because it's just charity.
30:17 But just the same, 17 billion in taxes and no subsidy from the national government.
30:26 Many are hoping that PCSO can help them if they have a disease or are in the charity ward of our hospitals.
30:33 Do you have a list of the charities that were helped by PCSO in the past year?
30:39 300,000.
30:41 Persons? Is that so?
30:43 What are these cases?
30:45 What are the medical conditions?
30:47 Oh, I'm sorry.
30:50 I'm sorry.
30:52 Even cancer, even transplant.
30:54 Everybody who gets to be appointed to government is the first one to go.
31:01 If not PagCor, PCSO.
31:03 You are now in PCSO although in fairness, you came from LRTA, IBC 13, and you also became a spokesperson of Brother Mike.
31:13 But what happened last time, you were the biggest donor of President Bongbong Marcos in the last election.
31:22 30 million pesos.
31:23 Please explain why this is like a payback time.
31:28 I'm sorry, I have to ask.
31:30 I think you cannot deny that I'm a supporter.
31:35 All right.
31:36 And I'm trusted.
31:38 So I think that's what's needed.
31:41 You must have the trust because I cannot appoint myself.
31:45 Even if I want to, I have to be appointed.
31:48 I think it's safe to say that I'm trusted by the President for giving me this job.
31:53 I think personally I can deliver.
31:56 Actually, I'm not the number one donor.
32:01 I think the requirements are you must have the confidence.
32:06 That's important.
32:07 The confidence and I think second, if I have the competence.
32:11 Other than that, it's all speculation.
32:15 But the fact is, yes, I did donate.
32:17 But many also donated and were not appointed.
32:22 Many also donated and were appointed.
32:24 But many also donated and were not appointed.
32:28 So if it evens it out, it's not a logical conclusion.
32:33 There were many candidates in the last election.
32:35 The candidates for president were a bit random.
32:39 Why did President BBM choose this?
32:41 Is this because he's out of conviction, out of faith in you?
32:45 What was the reason?
32:46 Why did you donate 30 million pesos for the campaign?
32:51 You know, this is what not everyone knows.
32:54 During the pandemic, my wife, BBM at that time and Atty. Lisa,
33:04 they wanted to help, especially after she was infected with COVID.
33:07 So the dilemma, how do they help when they don't see their fellow countrymen?
33:16 You know what they did?
33:18 They asked a friend, my friend, to do the giving.
33:21 "You give the credit, okay?"
33:23 And then using me as the...
33:25 I just went to my house because I might see them and tell them.
33:29 So can you imagine, there's a politician who will help with zero credit?
33:34 I'm not that kind of person.
33:36 Because in politics, you have to give and be known.
33:40 You have to...
33:41 What the right hand gives, the hand and the feet should know.
33:45 That's what I see in politics.
33:47 But here is a person who has a victim who just wanted to help sincerely.
33:51 He used all his resources.
33:53 I have a lot at home.
33:54 At my house, they thought I was giving a lot.
33:57 But the secret is they never revealed this.
34:00 That's why during the campaign, they asked, "What did you do during COVID?"
34:04 All over the country, they are giving through using me.
34:08 I saw it firsthand.
34:09 Now it can be told because there's no reason to include this.
34:13 When they asked, "What did you do?"
34:15 Because others are just doing nothing.
34:18 I said, "I'll come out. I'll give a personal testimony.
34:22 I'll say everything I was given because I brought it."
34:25 Who do you think, the candidate who doesn't even know if he will run for president or vice president?
34:31 Which is true.
34:32 He's not even an athlete. He doesn't know what he will run for.
34:35 There are politicians like that.
34:37 You can't rely on someone like that.
34:39 To me, that's a different kind of politician.
34:42 In the past, maligned in everything, even my friends,
34:48 I said, "Excuse me, you're talking to the wrong guy. He's my son."
34:52 I saw it firsthand.
34:55 No politician will do that.
34:57 I said, "This is what needs to win. This is a job. This is a job.
35:03 Maybe we won't see this anymore.
35:05 All the resources, even the lianhua, they will give it to us along with their sickness,
35:12 masks, PPE, lianhua, that's what they will give.
35:16 That's personal.
35:17 That's why I believe that if there's someone who will give,
35:21 who will be the one I give it to?
35:24 Without publicity, there's no need for photo-op.
35:29 GM, you're also an appointee of President Gloria Arroyo.
35:38 Before the election last time, you were always in the news,
35:43 in the IBC 13, LRTA.
35:46 In the LRTA, the Sandigan Bayan was chasing a case against you.
35:50 Is that over?
35:51 Janitorial services that have a line, they're fighting.
35:56 That's how it is.
35:58 As I said, they can throw mud at you.
36:01 Your challenge is not to make it stick.
36:03 In public service, don't be afraid to do the right thing and you might be judged.
36:08 Because in the end, like her, the home demand for us was up to 2010.
36:15 I was fined in January of 2006.
36:22 Can you imagine?
36:23 I wasn't playing anymore, I was even called a foul.
36:26 Just imagine that.
36:29 It was about to end, that term.
36:31 Well, you know my brother is a very harsh critic of Illinois.
36:34 Correct.
36:35 Jojo.
36:36 I wasn't hit.
36:37 I was the one who was in the meeting.
36:39 I was the one who was in the meeting.
36:41 I wasn't being given.
36:42 I'm a former senior government official.
36:44 I will only apply if I'm in a meeting with my brother.
36:47 I wasn't being given.
36:48 Can you imagine that?
36:49 I'm a DOTC.
36:50 If I'm a security risk, I would have passed that because I have an all-access pass before.
36:55 But just to get back, my brother never had a license for his gun.
37:00 You can't give it to him.
37:02 He went through all that because he wanted to be a good citizen.
37:06 He went through all that because he wanted to say, "You practice your career."
37:12 Let's put it that way.
37:13 You, the journalists.
37:14 I was never a journalist.
37:16 I was a spokesman.
37:18 That's the price you have to pay.
37:21 And unfortunately, even his brother had to pay that price.
37:25 Because when you accused us, we said, "We never challenged it."
37:29 We were already in trouble.
37:30 "Go ahead, fire us so it's over."
37:32 It was dismissed.
37:33 All right.
37:34 The brother is of course the journalist, Jojo Robles.
37:39 So are you the one talking?
37:41 Actually, when the president...
37:43 I killed him.
37:45 Before the LRTA cases, were you the one he consulted?
37:49 He was still here.
37:51 That's what I'm worried about.
37:53 No press release is coming out of Manila Standard.
37:55 That's his policy.
37:58 No press release.
37:59 Because his position in Manila Standard is high.
38:03 I know when that case came out, you brothers are really dead.
38:07 He has no business.
38:09 He can't help you.
38:12 He did that before.
38:15 I know.
38:16 Now when President BBM talked to you about becoming PCSO General Manager,
38:21 were you really forced to do it?
38:27 He forced me.
38:32 Is it harder or easier to become a PCSO?
38:35 Well, you can't talk to a gambling lord.
38:41 It's hard.
38:42 There are a lot of moving parts.
38:45 It's just the lottery.
38:48 It's big.
38:49 There are a lot of them.
38:50 It's the whole Philippines.
38:51 Then you talk about charity.
38:53 It's big.
38:54 Actually, there are three.
38:56 Lotto, STL, charity.
38:59 You can split it.
39:01 There are a lot of jobs.
39:03 I don't like LRTA.
39:05 I'm 40 years old.
39:07 It's lighter.
39:09 It's lighter.
39:10 But now, it's challenging because number one,
39:14 I asked First Lady, "How do you find your job?
39:17 What's the best thing that happened to you?"
39:20 I said, "Wow, helping other people without spending a single cent."
39:24 I think that's -- you can't lose anything.
39:27 You really need to help because it's your job.
39:29 Then you'll see that people's lives are really changed.
39:33 They're grateful.
39:34 I said, "I don't want to.
39:35 I want to be the president because I'm under the office of the president."
39:39 So, I'm grateful because he doesn't have any other instructions
39:43 but to bring the service to the people.
39:46 I'm just a little bit arrogant.
39:48 We will be giving ambulances 100% to all the municipalities in the Philippines.
39:53 A feat that has never been done before.
39:55 Okay.
39:56 1,500.
39:57 That's all the municipalities.
39:59 Where is it?
40:00 1,500 ambulances.
40:03 We will do it.
40:04 Hopefully, first quarter of 2025, we will give all the ambulances
40:11 under the new Bagong Pilipinas program of the president.
40:16 And here's another one that has never been done.
40:19 We'll do a second round after 2025.
40:22 But it's not a political issue because you said it's Bagong Pilipinas.
40:25 It's likely that he has a TARP or a printed Bagong Pilipinas.
40:31 Isn't that project going to be included in the politics?
40:35 There's no such party as Bagong Pilipinas.
40:38 There's no such party but of course, President BBM is his focus now.
40:45 Now, GM, for those who are betting that they will not win in decades or years,
40:52 what can you say?
40:54 Is it just forever or you will do something else?
41:00 I've played casino before.
41:02 I lost a lot.
41:05 I lost.
41:06 I have 500 pesos left.
41:08 This is really my anecdote.
41:10 I will not get mad.
41:11 When I get in a taxi, that's what happens.
41:15 The one who gets mad is the one who doesn't get mad.
41:20 But I told the driver to turn off the radio.
41:25 I didn't get mad.
41:27 You didn't get mad.
41:29 So how did you get 500 pesos?
41:32 They said you're a billionaire now.
41:35 And it looks like a guessing game.
41:38 You can't do a guessing game.
41:41 You have to file.
41:42 Correct.
41:43 Again, it's without basis.
41:47 I have markets.
41:52 In Balintawak, I have the biggest market there.
41:55 I named it after my mother, Juliana Market.
41:58 It's big.
41:59 That's the market.
42:00 Because of my great affection for my mother, I'll just get it back.
42:04 Bad son.
42:09 Well, let's say, I'm just distracted.
42:14 That's how I do business in the markets.
42:17 I have markets.
42:18 Right.
42:19 Okay.
42:20 Do you have a drug rehabilitation facility?
42:24 Yes.
42:25 I also have a shop.
42:28 In front of American Embassy.
42:34 So that means you're also an entrepreneur.
42:37 Yes.
42:38 And have you won the lottery?
42:40 I won't win.
42:42 I'm not going to lose.
42:44 But I can be happy.
42:46 I'm not forbidden from betting and even winning.
42:50 Because this is important.
42:53 That's the integrity of our games.
42:56 As you said, we have a World Lottery Association certification.
43:00 Even our employees can win.
43:05 In fact, our employees have won twice.
43:08 I always say that you will know if people trust you.
43:14 For example, you work in a shop.
43:16 If you're a shopkeeper, you can earn money.
43:20 For example, you work in a shop.
43:23 If the people who work there buy food from their own shop,
43:27 that's the test that they believe in the cleanliness of their shop.
43:33 And that's how it is with us.
43:35 We have outlets in the office.
43:37 Our employees trust us.
43:39 But I know, even if I lose, it's a bigger problem.
43:43 Two people won out of how many employees of PCSO?
43:48 Just to be clear, the base figure is important here.
43:51 Maybe you have thousands of employees.
43:53 I have to look at the period.
43:55 The lottery is 25 years old.
43:59 Two people won out of a thousand employees.
44:03 A thousand employees.
44:04 Mayor Lim Hoy won.
44:08 Twice, right?
44:10 Twice.
44:12 Twice.
44:13 Not once but twice.
44:15 Although he's a regular, he's better.
44:20 I mean there is so much human intervention there.
44:24 It's a ball that hasn't been blown yet.
44:27 Now it's really open to the public.
44:30 Every movement is videotaped.
44:33 By the way, our draw is also ISO certified.
44:37 So our fights are not a game.
44:42 We take this seriously.
44:46 This is a standard that we have adapted worldwide.
44:50 Because we know that it will be doubtful.
44:54 There's no evidence that it's doubtful.
44:57 This is what's funny.
44:58 If I may, we invited all the senators to come.
45:03 I wrote it. Please come.
45:07 Bring your expert.
45:08 There's no prior notice.
45:09 Go.
45:10 If you can't go, send your expert.
45:12 Just give him the notarization that he's coming on your behalf.
45:15 Maybe if you have a senator who won, you will be the one who's in trouble.
45:22 No. Why?
45:24 It's been two months.
45:26 Which I'm always reiterating in interviews.
45:28 Before I speak, you will expose me.
45:31 I will just say, "I just glanced at it."
45:34 There's no reason.
45:35 Because it might jive with the narrative.
45:38 Okay.
45:39 What's the reason?
45:41 Why are you asking Senator Tulfo and some members of the House to resign?
45:48 Senator Tulfo, it's hard for me to ask him.
45:53 If I become a senator, I will ask him.
45:57 Do you have a plan?
45:59 No. I said, if I run, in the tradition of Manoling Mora,
46:05 what did Manoling Mora run for?
46:09 He ran, right?
46:11 On the lighter side, I don't have one.
46:13 I've been the chairman of the Buhay Party List and founder for the longest time.
46:17 If I have plans, I have them since before.
46:20 Because we topped the party list twice.
46:22 Correct. Okay.
46:24 I'm not a stranger to politics.
46:28 In fact, I've been very active in politics.
46:30 But as the chairman and president of Buhay Party.
46:33 Okay.
46:34 Lastly, GM Mel, what is your advice to those people who are counting on the number,
46:43 who have been waiting for a long time, who are still hoping to win in the end,
46:48 but have doubts that there's no lottery winner, only magic.
46:55 What is your advice?
46:57 Two things.
46:59 Mel, let me flex a little.
47:01 When we won 433, we backtracked because of the series of 9, 18, 27, etc.
47:08 During the press conference, I was suddenly told that it doesn't only pay to be loyal to your spouses.
47:17 It also pays to be loyal to your numbers.
47:21 The BBC picked that up.
47:24 That's what Bragging Rights did.
47:27 I quote what the BBC picked up.
47:29 But which is true.
47:30 This is a game of chance.
47:32 And it is all about betting on the number that is not yet released, most likely.
47:39 And if you want to win the lottery every day, then just bet on all the odds.
47:43 Which is, of course, not wise because you won't get the whole prize, maybe.
47:47 Because you might have a share.
47:50 So it is a game of chance.
47:54 And be patient because we're having fun.
47:58 And hope springs eternal.
47:59 That's the beauty of our Philippines.
48:01 Filipinos, let's not lose hope.
48:05 And lastly, what we're saying is that in every bet, you have a chance.
48:09 I know that some people don't think about it.
48:12 They only think about it when they win.
48:14 Because, of course, it's important to us to be focused on the charity.
48:19 Everything we do is for our agency.
48:23 We don't have any other end.
48:25 We don't have any other charity.
48:27 Especially now, when someone comes to us for hospitalization, it's always in the vicinity of 1 million.
48:33 I feel sorry for them.
48:34 Even if you're an OFW, you work, you wipe out, it's just one disease.
48:39 And we're going to get in here.
48:40 Even if we're in Universal Healthcare, we're already 40%.
48:45 Almost half of our charity went to Universal Healthcare.
48:48 It's okay with us because it's the same.
48:50 We can go to both.
48:52 If you're good in your conscience, you'll be able to go.
48:57 I can only say one thing.
48:59 If you stop, stop your chance of winning.
49:02 With that, just remember, even if we don't have enough money, we have a lot of boys.
49:08 I always say that the PCSO does not depend on helping.
49:13 Okay.
49:14 You even have a tagline.
49:17 Anyway, thank you very much.
49:19 It really looks like, "Pumusta? Game of chance ito.
49:23 At pag nanalo, magkawang gawa."
49:25 That's your message.
49:27 Yes.
49:29 Thank you very much for giving me this opportunity.
49:33 Okay.
49:34 Thank you very much, General Manager Mel Robles of the Philippine Charity CPSO.
49:40 [music]
50:05 (upbeat music)