SC to courts: Report status of all cases involving PCSO since January 2018

(Eagle News)–The Supreme Court has ordered all judges and branch clerks of first- and second-level courts nationwide to report the status of all their cases involving the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office since January 2018.

The order was contained in a circular issued by the Office of  Court Administrator Midas Marquez on Monday, July 29.

According to Marquez, the report on the PCSO cases, whether pending or terminated, should be submitted on or before Aug. 15.

Marquez said the order was “in view of serious allegations of massive corruption involving small-town lottery and other gaming franchises issued by the PCSO, some of which have supposedly reached the courts..”

The allegations were made by President Rodrigo Duterte himself, who used these as grounds to terminate all forms of gambling under the mandate of the PCSO.

Marquez said the order was upon consultation with Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin.

“Strict compliance is hereby enjoined,” Marquez said.