The operations of the lottery game Bingo Milyonaryo is legal because it is one of the products of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Abigael Reformina, provincial manager of the PCSO, said yesterday.

Bacolod Mayor Monico Puentevella, had said earlier, that he has ordered the operation of Bingo Milyonaryo in Bacolod stopped because it is illegal, after he reportedly met with Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas and President Benigno Aquino during their visit to the province last week.

Puentevella said Bingo Milyonaryo was not issued any permit by City Hall because its operation was not allowed by the Department of Interior Local Government .

Granting that it had secured a franchise from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, this does not legalize its operation because there is a proper procedure to follow, he said.

Reformina, however, pointed out that Bingo Milyonaryo continues to operate in Bacolod City because it is legal and isone of the online games of PCSO.

The draw by PCSO is televised every night, together with the lotto results, she said.

LEGAL

Reformina said the result of Bingo Milyonaryo is also posted in some national dailies together with other PCSO online games so, it is legal.

The three draws of Bingo Milyonaryo are centralized and being conducted by the PCSO central office in Manila, she said, adding that its last draw during night time is conducted together with the results of the lotto.

“Just like lotto and Keno, the draws are being made in the PCSO Manila central office” Reformina said.

NO ORDER

Meanwhile, Councilor Carlos Jose Lopez called up PCSO general manager Jose Ferdinand Rojas and the Office of DILG Secretary Mar Roxas and was informed that there is no official order from either agency to stop the operation of Bingo Milyonaryo.

Lopez said he is just waiting for the official written communication from both offices on the issue.*CGS

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