(Eagle News)–President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday, Aug. 9, said he may reconsider the closure of small-town lottery operations.
In a speech during the 118th anniversary of the Philippine National Police, Duterte said this was if he could be assured there would be no corruption.
“But if I’m not satisfied and if the big guys are still there to manipulate the game, I will not allow it,” he said.
Saying he could not stop gambling activities altogether because people might engage in illegal drug activities instead, Duterte said he could give the management of the operations to a “committee that will not be corrupted.”
“There should be no corruption, no under-the-table (activities),” he said.
Earlier, President Duterte ordered the termination of all forms of gambling under the mandate of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, citing “massive corruption.”
He did not elaborate but said the courts were involved.
He said covered by the stoppage order were lotto, STL, keno and Peryahan ng Bayan.
He later lifted the stoppage order on lotto.
