Malacanang revealed the reason why President Rodrigo Duterte decided to terminate all the gaming franchise under the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

In an interview, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that there’s a conspiracy happening under PCSO that caused the government to lose share from the agency’s profit.

Panelo claimed that 60% of PCSO’s revenue only went to the wrong pockets.

“All players, all participants of the gaming corporations are involved, including even court [that] issues injunctions in favor of these operations,” Panelo said.

The Presidential Spokesperson also said that President Duterte would reveal the names of the people who are part of the massive conspiracy in PCSO.

Panelo also said that the beneficiaries of PCSO will be redirected to Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).

PCSO was created in 1954 to raise funds that could help the Filipinos who need medical assistance. However, several netizens shared how hard to get help from PCSO, saying that the agency workers told them that they don’t have enough funds.

On Saturday, President Duterte decided to close down PCSO because of alleged massive corruption.

As a response, PCSO complied to President’s order, however, they’re still planning to appeal to Duterte to reconsider his decision.

Presidential Spokesperson Sal Panelo tells CNN Philippines that 60% of PCSO revenues are lost to corruption, and those involved will be named by President Duterte in due time #NewsroomWeekend https://t.co/msCLmwV0u6 pic.twitter.com/szsBOEPJa0

— CNN Philippines (@cnnphilippines) July 27, 2019

Mayor Isko Moreno received praises again from netizens after he ordered to give P500 allowance to all Grade 12 public school students, person with disabilities (PWDs), solo parents and senior citizens.

On July 25, Moreno signed Ordinance No. 8564 and Ordinance No. 8565 granting a monthly allowance of P500 for Grade 12 students of Manila public schools, solo parents, PWDs and senior citizens at the Bulwagang Katipunan, Manila City Hall.

The ordinance of part of Moreno’s social amelioration package that could help the Manilenyos in their monthly needs.

To avail the allowance, the beneficiary or his/her parents must be a resident and registered voter of Manila City and should have a good standing.

The City Government of Manila has the right to suspend the allowance if the student has been dismissed from his studies before the end of the school year.

These are Moreno’s first two ordinances signed since assuming office.

In his weekly capital report, Moreno also gave his thoughts on signing the two ordinances.

According to him, the said ordinances that he signed are the fastest ever approved by the City Government of Manila.

“Yung pundasyon nailalatag na natin ng maayos, para lahat ng lalakaran ninyo matibay ang pundasyon,” Moreno said.

He said that aside from monthly allowances, they’re also working to implement the nutribun program for students.

The City Government of Manila also vowed to give additional P1-B to senior citizens and urged the fast-food chains to accept old people as their worker.

“Kayong mga senior, mag exercise na kayo,”

“Dahil si Fernan Bermejo ay inatasan ko nang tupdin yung commitment natin na tumanggap ang mga Jollibee, McDonalds, lahat ng food chains ng senior citizen […] including PWDs,” he added.

The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) officials appeared in the live video to inform the people that they’re going to follow President Duterte’s order to close down all gaming franchises under the said government-owned corporation including lotto.

PCSO General Manager Royina Garma read the statement saying that they’re going to follow the President’s order.

She also vowed that they’re going to appeal to the President to reconsider his decision for the sake of the PSCO agent and beneficiaries.

“Pursuant to the order of the President suspending PCSO’s gaming activities, the PCSO board directs compliance in the said instruction until further notice,”

“Rest assured that PCSO shall appeal to the office of the President for the resumption of the conduct of all games to PSCO’s mandate and for the interest of PSCO, its agent and its beneficiaries,”

She also suggested to the bettors who bought an advance game ticket to keep their ticket until further notice.

Garma who’s the former Cebu City police chief was only appointed by the President last month as the General Manager of PSCO.

On Friday, President Duterte ordered the PCSO to stop all its gaming activities because of alleged massive corruption.

“I have today ordered the closure, the stoppage of all gaming schemes sa… whatever nature, however, done, that got the franchises to do from the PCSO. The ground is massive corruption involving all, pati the courts who repeatedly issued injunctions to paralyze government and to allow corruption to thrive.” President Duterte said.

“Pending investigation, lahat ho ng laro ng lotto, STL, peryahan ng bayan, or whatever nature, there’s one that yung gambling machine, Keno, I said all gaming activities. Yung gambling, that got the franchise from government through PCSO, are, as of today, suspended or terminated because of massive corruption,” he added.

Netizens are already familiar with graffitis around Metro Manila, but many of them are wondering who are the people committing those kinds of vandalism.

On Tuesday, Facebook page Happy Riders PH posted a photo of an alleged vandal roaming around Metro Manila.

According to the source, the photo was taken on the day of President Duterte’s fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday.

In the photo, it was shown a woman holding a spray paint while trying to reach the street sign beside her are some marching rallyist.

The source didn’t let the opportunity escape to take a photo of the woman.

The action of the vandal made thousands of netizens disappointed, pointing out that the woman should not damage the property of the government.

As of writing, the woman in the photo is still not identified.

Yesterday, another vandalism incident was also reported along Mendiola.

Mayor Isko Moreno who’s leading the clean up of Manila City is not yet giving comment on the recent vandalism.

In 2010, Valenzuela City made an ordinance against vandalism. Violators of this Ordinance, whether the property affected is public or private, shall be fined FIVE THOUSAND PESOS (P5,000.00) or detain for 21 to 30 days.

In 2013, late Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago introduced Anti-Vandalism Act which made to fight vandals and prohibit the sale of spray cans for people 18 y/o below.

Former Senator Antonio Trillanes also introduced Anti- Vandalism Act of 2009.

According to the bill, writing, drawing, painting, marking or inscribing on any public property or private property any word, slogan, caricature, drawing, mark, symbol or other
thing could be considered as vandalism.

President Rodrigo Duterte vows to increase the salary of teachers and nurses under the new Salary Standardization law.

Under the said law, all government employees, including teachers and nurses, would receive a higher salary.

In his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA), President asked the Congress to pass it quickly.

“I, therefore, believe that it is now time for Congress to approve a new version of the Salary Standardization Law, ngayon na,” Duterte said.

“To the teachers, alam mo dito… who toil and work tirelessly to educate our young, kasali na po dito ‘yung hinihingi ninyo,” he added.

However, the President said that the salary increase would not be bigger as what he gave to the policemen and soldiers.

“Hindi naman masyadong malaki, pero it will tide you over during these hard times, a little bit bigger than before. This is intended to increase the salaries of national government workers including teachers and nurses,” he said.

According to Education Secretary Leonor Briones, a P5,000 salary increase to all public school teachers would cost the government 75-M pesos annually, or P343-B if the current administration wanted it to double like the police and soldier salary.

Being a government teacher and nurse is one of the hardest jobs in the government that’s why several groups represented them pleaded to the President to increase their salaries too.

Former Solicitor General and defeated senatorial candidate Florin Hilbay is one of the politicians who congratulated Senator Manny Pacquiao on his recent victory against Keith Thurman.

In a tweet, Hilbay hopes that Pacquiao’s performance in the senate can be as good as his abilities in boxing, saying that the Filipino Champ should be active in his job as a lawmaker.

Pacquiao who’s an ally of President Duterte is being criticized for missing many plenary sessions.

“I do hope you strive to become as good a statesman as you are a boxer. That means attending sessions in the Senate, preparing for & participating in debates, & championing the cause of equality & social justice. Nasa Senado yung tunay na laban,” Hilbay said.

Congratulations Senator Manny.

I do hope you strive to become as good a statesman as you are a boxer. That means attending sessions in the Senate, preparing for & participating in debates, & championing the cause of equality & social justice. Nasa Senado yung tunay na laban.

— Pilo Hilbay (@fthilbay) July 21, 2019

Meanwhile, several netizens didn’t like the way Hilbay congratulated the Filipino Champ, saying that he doesn’t have the right to give advice to Pacquiao.

“Absent din po kau sa senado,diba? Ooops sori po, talo pala kau,” @iam_ButlerKim said.

Absent din po kau sa senado,diba?

Ooops sori po, talo pala kau.

— Kim F. I. (@Iam_ButlerKim) July 21, 2019

“Meron din naman sa senado na lagi tulog. Parang kasama mo yata yun sa LP,” @jessie22102007 commented.

Meron din naman sa senado na lagi tulog. Parang kasama mo yata yun sa LP.

— Jess Zapata (@Jessie22102007) July 21, 2019

“Mas marami ng nagawa si Manny sayo kalbo. wag mo syang digtahan desisyon ka kala mo kung sino ka animal,” @marsha1975_ remarked.

Mas marami ng nagawa si Manny sayo kalbo. wag mo syang digtahan desisyon ka kala mo kung sino ka animal.

— marsha (@marsha1975_) July 21, 2019

Last year, Hilbay told his followers that people could be a fan of Manny Pacquiao in boxing without praising his abilities as a politician.

“Pwede namang ihiwalay ang paghanga kay Manny bilang boksingero sa paghusga sa kanya bilang tao o pulitiko. Maraming magaling na artista, atleta, o intelektwal na basurang tao o pulitiko,” Hilbay said in his 2018 tweet.

“Di ako hanga kay Manny bilang pulitiko pero ibang klaseng boksingero talaga siya,” he added.

Pwede namang ihiwalay ang paghanga kay Manny bilang boksingero sa paghusga sa kanya bilang tao o pulitiko.

Maraming magaling na artista, atleta, o intelektwal na basurang tao o pulitiko.

Di ako hanga kay Manny bilang pulitiko pero ibang klaseng boksingero talaga siya.

— Pilo Hilbay (@fthilbay) July 15, 2018

Senator Manny Pacquiao said that his fight against Keith Thurman at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Saturday could be compared to his historical match against Erik Morales in 2005.

In an interview after the WBA super welterweight title match, Pacquiao said that he didn’t underestimate Thurman because of his powerful jabs.

Pacquiao vs Morales is one of the most memorable fights of the Filipino Champ.

During their first meeting, Morales defeated Pacquiao via unanimous decision and the latter also sustained a severe cut in his eye.

Morales and Pacquiao meeting

The rivalry between Pacquiao and Morales turned into a trilogy where Pacquiao dominated their second and third meeting. However, the two fighters became friends and they both appeared in a beer commercial.

“Naalala ko ‘yung Morales fight, Morales 1,” he said.

“Kaya hindi ako nagkumpiyansa. Dahil malakas at mabigat rin (si Thurman). Hindi puwedeng i-underestime.” he added.

Meanwhile, there’s still confusion whether Pacquiao would attend the 4th State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Duterte or not because of different answers from Pacman’s camp.

According to Pacquiao’s wife Jinkee, her husband received advice from his doctors to stay in the U.S until tomorrow to take a rest.

“Hindi na siya makakadalo sa Sona. Masakit ang mata now tsaka ‘di payag ang doctor. Makakauwi daw siya pede sa Sunday night pa,” Jinkee said.

However, Senate President Tito Sotto claimed that Pacquiao informed him that he would see him on Monday.

“Sabi nga niya ‘see you on Monday, boss’,” Sotto said

There’s also some news reports that Pacquiao might use a private plane to catch up with President Duterte’s SONA.