Palace supports call for ‘lifestyle check’ of ex-PCSO execs

Malacañang on Monday expressed support for the call to subject former officials of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) to a “lifestyle check." “Yes, to settle once and for all if they have nothing to hide, there's nothing wrong with it," deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said on Monday when asked about the call of Sen. Francis Escudero for a lifestyle check of former PCSO officials. She added that the check was needed especially amidst allegations of unexplained wealth, expressing the hope that “it would be clearer" once the Senate probe on the PCSO fund irregularities are completed. “Kung may reason naman siguro. Dapat i-base sa lalabas na investigation sa Senate. As of the moment I know gumugulong pa lang siya. At this point nakikita pa lang natin iyung mga pondong ginastos. Made-determine din iyan doon sa Senate investigation," she said. Not ‘bishops only’ With this development, Valte pointed out that Catholic bishops were not singled out, adding that the latest Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) statement was a “very welcomed statement". “That’s a fair appeal," she noted. “This [Senate] investigation is still ongoing and there are still allegations that need to be discussed and as such, I think that is a fair appeal from the CBCP." “However, if you ask us what the consequences will be, we do not know at this point in time. We will have to see how the Senate investigation progresses before we can determine if there are consequences and if there will be, what those consequences will be," she said. Valte said that the PCSO fund mess should not sour the relationship between the government and the religious sector when it comes to charity work. On the perception that the Aquino administration does not have a smooth relationship with previous CBCP leadership, Valte said the Palace remains open for dialogue and communications in spite of any differences with Church officials. She cited the joint dialogue of government and CBCP regarding the Responsible Parenthood/Reproductive Health issue. “We engaged in a lengthy dialogue with them on the issue of RH or RP. We hope to continue the same, not in reference to the dialogue but we continue to be open to the new leadership as well," she said. — MRT/KBK, GMA News