Ex-judge’s appointment as PCSO board chair hailed

MANILA, Philippines —  Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager Melquiades Robles hailed the appointment of retired regional trial court (RTC) presiding judge Felix Reyes as the chairman of the board of the state charity agency and operator of the state lotto games.

Robles said he was looking forward to working with Reyes, as he noted that the latter’s long years of experience in the judiciary and record as a public servant would surely help propel the PCSO to greater heights.

Reyes had been appointed to the PCSO board of directors in November 2022 before his appointment as chairman was announced last Monday.

The Presidential Communications Office said that Reyes served as the acting presiding judge of the Taguig RTC Branch 70 from 2017 to 2019, RTC, Lipa City from February 2011 to September 2021, and RTC, Calamba City from 2011 to 2013.

In an interview, Reyes highlighted the need for expanding the scope and reach of assistance that the PCSO would give to the poor by tapping the services of their branch offices.

“We will think of ways to give assistance to all our impoverished countrymen in need especially those who are sick, even those who are far,” Reyes said.

He explained that to achieve this goal, there is a need to improve connectivity and communication between the PCSO central office and its branch offices, so that the latter could immediately relay requests for assistance that they were receiving in their respective areas.

Reyes also expressed his desire to increase the annual revenue of the PCSO, “so that they could contribute more to the Bureau of Treasury and extend assistance to more poor people.”

Reyes noted that they could increase the current target revenue of P60 billion for this year to as much P78 billion by next year, and even P100 billion in the next two years if they could introduce more betting platforms while using new technology.

“There is a good chance that we could attain those target revenue especially with the introduction of new games and with the use of modern technology. We should not rely on fixed terminals anymore, but also utilize technology in our betting platforms,” he said.

He added they are expecting an approval from the Office of the President of their mobile or electronic “e-lotto” operations even as they are eyeing other betting platforms for their games.

“Once that happens, we expect to generate more revenue, which will be a big boost to our charity and medical programs,” Reyes said.