Duterte accepts PCSO GM’s resignation

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte has accepted the resignation of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager Royina Garma, Palace documents obtained by The STAR showed.

Garma, who was appointed to the PCSO in 2019, resigned as vice chair, general manager and member of the board of directors of the agency last June 6, a letter signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea showed.

It was unclear why Garma resigned from her post.

“On behalf of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, I wish to inform you (Garma) that your resignation has been accepted, effective immediately,” Medialdea said in the letter.

Medialdea said PCSO chairman Anselmo Simeon Pinili shall act as officer-in-charge of the office of the general manager, pursuant to the Governance Commission for Government-Owned or -Controlled Corporations memorandum circular no. 2012-09 (fourth issue).

A Palace source confirmed to The STAR that the Office of the President had issued the letter, which was received by the PCSO yesterday.

Garma was Cebu City Police Office director before she was named PCSO general manager three years ago.

She replaced retired military general Alexander Balutan, who left the agency in March 2019.

PCSO claimed at the time that Balutan had resigned due to “personal reasons.”

But Malacañang said Duterte had terminated his services “due to serious allegations of corruption.”