Drilon questions use of PCSO intel funds vs 'terrorism'

Senator Franklin Drilon on Thursday asked why around P116 million of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office's (PCSO) intelligence funds were supposedly used for projects against terrorism in 2009. "In 2009, a total of P116, 386,800 was liquidated for bomb threat, kidnapping, destablilization and terrorism," Drilon, chairman of the Senate finance committee, said during the day's blue ribbon committee hearing on the alleged anomalies in the PCSO. He said this was PCSO general manager Rosario Uriarte's liquidation despite the fact that the intelligence funds she requested were supposed to fund ambulances and the charity fund's campaign against scams and the conduct of illegal gambling. "Ano ang pakialam ng PCSO dito sa mga nabanggit mong liquidation. Ang charter ng PCSO ay tumulong sa mahihirap... bakit naman pati yung bomb threat, destabilization, terrorism ay ginagamit na justification for liquidating for intelligence funds eh trabaho ito ng ating security forces," Drilon said. Uriarte, who was present during the hearing, said there were many times that their data center and their operators were subjected to bomb threats. She likewise said they have already caught people who have made such threats. Drilon, however, also asked why part of the intelligence funds - P20 million - was used for "bilateral and security relations." The Senate hearing was ongoing as of posting time. — Kimberly Jane Tan/RSJ, GMA News