PNoy wants probe to focus on P3-B PCSO fund

President Benigno Aquino III said Friday finding out how the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) spent its P3-billion charity fund and why government hospitals refuse to accept PCSO guarantees are more important concerns than the alleged reputation management fee the agency recently disbursed. “How can you go P3 billion beyond? How can you get to the point that these hospitals, which are government entities reject guarantees of another government entity. Hindi kaya ‘yun ang mas importante?" Aquino said. Aquino pointed out that the primary function of PCSO is to help indigent families. He said the present PCSO should tackle the non-payment and delayed payments to government hospitals so indigents can get the service they need most. “So ano ba ang function nila Charity Sweepstakes. Charity ang unang aspect. Asikasuhin yung kliyente which are those in need and that is where I wanted to get back to," he said. Aquino said he need not investigate the P554,000 PCSO chairperson Margie Juico allegedly disbursed to a public relations agency to manage the PCSO’s image. “I don’t have to investigate it. I will call the (PCSO) chairman and ask her if that is precisely the case," the President told reporters on Friday. Aquino said he expects the Senate to look into the ‘reputation management’ fee issue. “Bakit ba nagkalugi lugi? Bakit ba over ‘yung advertising budget na beyond what the board authorized… All of these are parts and parcels of trying to get them on a solid financial footing to be able to address all of the needs of the indigents that were their primary responsibility," Aquino added. — ELR/VS, GMA News