Alexander Balutan seeks impartial probe on PCSO corruption

MANILA, Philippines — Dismissed Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager Alexander Balutan wants an “impartial investigation” into allegations that it was “serious corruption issues” that cost him his job.

“If there are accusations of corruption, I beg for a full and impartial investigation,” Balutan said in a statement.

“I told all PCSO employees when I assumed as general manager in 2016 that if somebody from the Office of the President/Congress asks/orders me to do something which I cannot stomach, I will resign,” he said.

Balutan did not respond when asked if anyone had ordered him to do “something he could not stomach.”

In an interview with ABS-CBN, he claimed that “powerful people” were behind his ouster, citing supposed information from Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea.

In his statement, Balutan maintained that he never asked President Duterte for the position.

“PRRD retired me from the Marines to help him run his administration,” he said referring to Duterte by his presidential initials. “In silence, I did and I excelled. I did not ask anything from the President in return. The rest was history,” he said.

“Career for me is just temporary but character is lifetime, even beyond my grave,” he pointed out.

Malacañang on Friday said Duterte fired Balutan due to serious allegations of corruption. No details were provided.

Earlier that day, Balutan’s spokesman Florante Solmerin claimed that the PCSO general manager resigned for personal reasons.

Balutan was previously involved in a public spat with PCSO director Sandra Cam, who accused him of corruption over a supposed lavish Christmas party thrown for PCSO employees in 2017.

For Sens. Panfilo Lacson and Sherwin Gatchalian, firing Balutan is not enough.

“Since Malacañang has already cited and announced the reason for his sacking, it is incumbent upon them to file the necessary criminal charges for violation of the country’s anti-graft laws,” Lacson said.

He recalled Senate hearings on alleged PCSO irregularities that made him think there was justification for Balutan’s dismissal.

“During Senate hearings…I kept asking myself – what has happened to this man? If only his demeanor and other data gathered by our committee in those hearings, I am inclined to think there is a basis in his sacking as PCSO general manager,” Lacson said.

“His dismissal is not the only thing important here – charges should be filed,” Gatchalian said.

He added Balutan’s hosting a lavish Christmas party in 2016 “speaks louder than words.”

“I felt dismayed on learning that a large amount had been spent for that Christmas party,” Gatchalian said in Filipino. “People wait in line for hours just to get small amount of money from PCSO,” he pointed out. He said Balutan’s hosting an ostentatious party was a “reflection of his personality.” Balutan, he said, may have forgotten that PCSO’s mandate is to serve the poor.

He maintained Balutan can always air his defense in the courts. “There is always a venue where he can reveal whatever he wants to reveal.

The next PCSO chief, Gatchalian said, should be sensitive to the needs of the poor – especially the sick and those needing medical services like chemotherapy and dialysis. – Cecille Suerte-Felipe, Jaime Laude