SENATE Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel 3rd on Thursday formally sought a Senate inquiry into the recent result of lotto games by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) that made it a contender for the Guinness Book of World records where 433 winners picked the winning combination of numbers.

Each of the 433 winners will receive P500,000.

In Senate Resolution 253, Pimentel said there is a need to make sure that the processes involved in the conduct of the lotto games by the PCSO are honest and free from any kind of fraud. They are State-sanctioned forms of gambling, and they rely on their integrity for the successful raising of funds for health programs, medical assistance and services, and charities of national character.

The minority leader asked the Senate leadership to direct the appropriate committee to undertake an inquiry, in aid of legislation, to determine and maintain the integrity and trustworthiness of the PCSO Lotto games.

“During the initial years of the lotto operations, the PCSO was already beset with allegations of anomalies starting with the irregular deal with Philippine Gaming and Management Corp. (PGMC)Berjaya,” he said.

In July 2019, the lotto operations were shut down upon the order of former president Rodrigo Duterte because of allegations of anomalies and corrupt practices on the part of PCSO officials and employees.

Pimentel said the common criticism leveled by the betting public against the lotto is the lack of transparency.