President Rodrigo Duterte lifted the suspension of Small Town Lottery (STL) operations for “compliant” authorized agent corporations but they must agree to the new conditions set by the government.
This was announced on Thursday night by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Royina Garma.
“We are happy to announce that pursuant to the recommendation of the PCSO, the President lifted the suspension of operations of STL and authorized agent corporations that are compliant with the conditions of their STL agency agreement and has been remitting its guaranteed minimum monthly retail receipts provided the following conditions are met,” Garma said in a Facebook live video through PCSO.
“It is understood that all STL AACs that will be allowed to resume operations will comply with the signed and sign new STL agency agreements in accordance with the terms and conditions of the new STL implementing and regulations upon issuance thereof,” she added.
Among the four conditions that shall be met include depositing a cash bond equivalent to three months of the PCSO’s share in the guaranteed monthly retail receipts (GMRR) on top of their existing cash bonds.
Upon failure to timely and fully remit their GMRR during operations, the cash bond equivalent to three months of the PCSO’s share in the GMRR shall be automatically forfeited in favor of PCSO, without prejudice to the other remedies that may be exercised by the government.
Third, each AAC shall execute a written undertaking that it shall comply with its obligations under the STL agency agreement and will not institute any claims, monetary or otherwise against the government and or apply for a temporary restraining order or injunction from any court to prevent the government from exercising its rights and prerogatives.
Lastly, the STL agency agreement shall automatically be terminated upon violation of the conditions of their franchise and or any of the above conditions without prejudice to the other remedies that may be exercised by the government.
“The foregoing conditions shall be applied to other AACs that may be allowed to resume operations,” Garma said.
Meanwhile, Malacanang confirmed the President’s directive, saying the order will be effective after the publication of the implementing rules and regulations.
“Any violation of any of the conditions contained in the implementing rules and regulations will mean revocation of the license to operate the STL,” said Presidential Spokesman and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador S. Panelo in a text message shared to reporters.
Last month, the President announced the suspension of all gaming activities under PCSO due to alleged massive corruption. He has also earlier lifted the suspension on lotto operations.