“PUBLIC office is a public trust. When people have lost their trust in you, delicadeza at the very least should drive you to resign.”

This is the message of Surigao del Norte Robert Ace Barbers to Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Mel Robles in the light of the scandal that the agency is currently thrusted into amid allegations of highly improbable and doubtful winnings in the state lottery.

“Was there a need to publish the pictures of the winning bettors? While there was none, PCSO GM Robles probably wanted to allay alleged rumors that some draws were not actually won and that the published winners were fictitious or staged, that he had to enlist the help of AI technology,” Barbers said.

“The result was both disastrous and hillarious. Instead of allaying those fears and rumors of fake winners, he succeeded in creating a conflagration. What used to be confined to the Matiresses is now a full blown scandal exploding in his face that nothing less than his removal as GM or resignation could put the fire out,” Barbers added.

Barberes recalled a magic show staged here in the 90s entitled the Greatest Show on Earth where people and things are made to disappear and reappear in different areas of the theater, to the great amazement and amusement of the audience.

“The same reaction is achieved in our lotto shows that now rival that magic show in terms of the amazing acts being performed before our very eyes,” Barbers said.

The solon stressed that no amount of excuses will be enough to silence the people and restore their trust in the fund raising state sponsored lottery that funds health and medical programs around the country.

“This is not the first time that the agency has been wracked with scandal. Remember the 236 Million lotto draw of October 1, 2022 won by 433 bettors, under Robles’ watch. Was it real or fake?

What are the mathematical odds? Is the current manager a mathematician or a magician? What is his background and qualifications that earned him the position to manage an agency that raises billions upon billions in people’s money to be used for projects? Is he a finance expert?” Barbers said.

“It used to be that integrity, honesty, competence and knowledge of the job are the qualifications used in measuring firness of public officials. Now, a lot of agencies are in disarray due to incompetence of those at the helm. While the President continues to effect changes for the betterment of public service, this agency should be in his priority list. The people want officials with integrity,” Barbers added.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Jester P. Manalastas