The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) emphasized on Wednesday, May 8, that it could have remitted higher dividends to the government if it had successfully eradicated illegal gambling operations in the country.
In a statement, PCSO General Manager Mel Robles explained that illegal gambling operations have a detrimental impact on the revenue generated by the agency.
He added that the income losses not only affect the PCSO but also deprive poor Filipinos of the healthcare, assistance, and other benefits provided by the PCSO.
Among the illegal games that the PCSO is striving to combat are "bookies, jueteng, unauthorized small-town lottery draws, and illegal online lotto operations."
PCSO highlighted that it is losing billions of pesos in potential revenue to illegal gambling operators annually.
Meanwhile, Robles underscored the agency's commitment to generating revenue.
“We have been working very hard to raise as much revenue as we can so that we can hand higher remittances to the national treasury, which the government could use in its socio-economic initiatives and high-priority programs,” Robles said.
"However, our goal is being stymied by the proliferation of illegal gambling operators who were using the PCSO-sanctioned games to line their pockets while greatly affecting our potential earnings,” he added.
PCSO recently received recognition from President Marcos, along with other Government-Owned or -Controlled Corporations (GOCCs), for its significant contribution to the national treasury.
In 2023, PCSO achieved a revenue of P61.45 billion, showing a seven percent increase from the total gaming revenue of P57.467 billion in 2022.
The agency also turned over a dividend contribution of P2,684,933,915.10 to the national treasury. This amount represents a significant improvement from its 2022 dividend contribution of P2,665,701,213.78.
According to Republic Act 7656, GOCCs such as the PCSO are required to remit at least 50 percent of their annual net earnings to the national treasury.
Meanwhile, Finance Secretary Ralph Recto increased the remittance rate to 75 percent for 2023 earnings.
This is to support the Marcos administration's priorities such as infrastructure, social development, and economic projects.