Valte to Morato: Prove your charges in proper venue

Malacanang has dared former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) chairman Manuel Morato to prove in court and in Senate hearings the accusations he has made against current PCSO chairperson Margarita Juico. “Ibabalik ko sinasabi ni Chairman Morato sa kanya, i-file in the proper venue. In the same way, he should practice what he preaches. Kung paulit-ulit niya sinabi file the charges if you have the evidence, we could very well say the same for him," Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said Saturday in an interview on state-run radio, dzRB. These past several days, Morato accused Juico and PCSO Board Member Mabel Mamba of releasing ambulances in lieu of utility vehicles to clergy. He also questioned the PCSO board decision to relocate its offices to the Philippine International Convention Center. Morato claims the PCSO has a live contract with the owner of the Quezon Institute property in Quezon City the Philippine Tuberculosis Society. Morato also alleged that Juico exhausted P25 million in discretionary funds for public relations activities when she was a PCSO director. “Again, I point out, it’s very interesting (Morato) chooses to ventilate his claims against (Juico) in fora outside, in press briefings. He had ample (chance) in the Senate to give his counter-allegations but he did not do so," she said. Valte also explained why the Bureau of Immigration placed former PCSO general manager Rosario Uriarte and PCSO advertising manager Manuel Garcia on the immigration watch list. “The DOJ is being prudent. Considering the gravity of the allegations, the personalities concerned should remain in the country," Valte said, recalling that some persons being investigated for alleged smuggling of black orals were able to flee the country because of the belated issuance of hold departure orders. Valte declined to respond in detail to a suggestion that former PCSO General Manager Rosario Uriarte be made a state witness. “We’ll have to defer to the DOJ or the Office of the Ombudsman at the proper time kung ano ang magiging determination nila if Uriarte will be a candidate to become a state witness," Valte said, noting that there are criteria possible witnesses must meet. Being the least guilty and having direct evidence other than testimony to prove accusations are factors which Valte said must be considered. She said there are more revelations yet to come. “Marami pang ilalabas diyan," Valte remarked. — TJD, GMA News