‘Juico turned down Roxas’ request for documents’

MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino had warned resigned Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) chairman Margarita Juico of the consequences of failing to comply with a request of Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II for documents and other information on the new game Bingo Mil-yonaryo, according to a memorandum, copy of which The STAR had obtained.

In the memorandum dated June 11, 2013, Aquino told Juico that the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) had formally requested for the documents, but that the PCSO had declined to release them.

“It is therefore both disappointing and embarrassing to know that an agency attached to the Office of the President has refused to respond to a formal reasonable request from the DILG secretary, who is considered an alter ego of the President himself,” read the memorandum.

“I find PCSO’s refusal inexcusable and unjustified, considering that these requests are proper and legitimate, guided by instruction from the President.”

Aquino directed Juico to provide any and all relevant documents and information that the DILG had requested.

“Stern warning is hereby given to all PCSO officials concerned that unjustified failure or refusal to comply with these requests shall be dealt with more severity,” read the memorandum.

In a letter to Juico and the PCSO Board of Directors dated May 22, 2013, the DILG had asked for the documents so it  could complete the review of the government’s policy on anti-illegal numbers games.

Juico denied that the PCSO had refused to provide the DILG with the documents.

The PCSO had initiated measures to ensure that only authorized persons would receive the documents.

 Juico asked the DILG to designate a pointman to handle the request because PCSO had also received requests from other DILG personnel.