PHP 150 million PCSO intelligence funds disbursed in 6 months?
Senator Drilon showed exhibits of Commission on Audit that Rosario Uriarte, PCSO vice-chair and general manager spent 90 percent of the 150-million intelligence funds during first six months only of 2010.
2009-2010 PCSO schedule of check releases
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According to Uriarte, the intelligence funds “released in January 2010 were used for intelligence operations to strengthen the Small Town Lottery, a government initiative to replace illegal numbers games.”
The P150-million was to augment P60 million in funds that the PCSO used against text scammers, fixers, and the illegal sale of donated medicine.
Of the P150 million that the Office of the President approved for Uriarte’s use, the Commission on Audit said only around 14 million was left.
It was apparent Uriarte had difficulty giving answers to the committee. Why was there a need for HUGE funds for a small town lottery intelligence project? WHY? I am just as curious as Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile. BUt her answer is not satisfactory
Enrile later criticized Uriarte for not “knowing what (she is) talking about.”
The strange thing is the previous board had no knowledge of the project. Manoling Morato abstained from signing the Small Town Lottery.
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The senators look really puzzled over the use of the intelligent funds. Where are the suspects? What action was taken.
Here are some reactions in Twitter on the revelations of the PCSO fund mess.
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Noemi Lardizabal-Dado
Noemi Lardizabal-Dado is a Content Strategist with over 16 years experience in blogging, content management, citizen advocacy and media literacy and over 26 years in web development. Otherwise known as @MomBlogger on social media, she believes in making a difference in the lives of her children by advocating social change for social good. She is a co-founder and a member of the editorial board of Blog Watch . She is a resource speaker on media literacy, social media , blogging, digital citizenship, good governance, transparency, parenting, women’s rights and wellness, and cyber safety. Her personal blogs such as aboutmyrecovery.com (parenting) , pinoyfoodblog.com (recipes), techiegadgets.com (gadgets) and benguetarabica.coffee keep her busy outside of Blog Watch. Disclosure: I am an advocate. I am NOT neutral. I will NOT give social media mileage to members of political clans, epal, a previous candidate for the same position and those I believe are a waste of taxpayers' money. I do not support or belong to any political party. I was part of accredited media covering the Office of the Vice President and Leni Robredo as she ran as a presidential aspirant in the 2022 National and local elections. On August 5, 2021, YouTube announced that I was selected as one of 50 Program participants of its Creator Program for Independent Journalists She was a Senior Consultant for ALL media engagements for the PCOO-led Committee on Media Affairs & Strategic Communications (CMASC) under the ASEAN 2017 National Organizing Council from January 4 -July 5, 2017. Having been an ASEAN advocate since 2011, she has written extensively about the benefits of the ASEAN community and as a region of opportunities on Blog Watch and aboutmyrecovery.com. Organization affiliation includes Consortium on Democracy and Disinformation Updated June 6, 2022