Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office(PCSO)

Dear Sir Monfort: Greetings from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO)! Thank you for your request dated January 10, 2019 under Executive Order No. 2 (s. 2016) on Freedom of Information in the Executive Branch. Your request You asked for the following information: 1. Why there is a 30 minute window before the live air of Lotto where players can't buy lotto tickets. 2. Make it possible to buy tickets until 9pm because it is more transparent that way. Response to your request 1. Like most of the lottery companies abroad (e.g. Wyoming Lottery, Kansas Lottery, Florida Lottery), time is alloted to enable the organization to perform system requirements prior to the conduct of actual draws; such as but not limited to the following: - generation of reports; - computation of jackpot prizes - performance of operational procedures such as creation and sealing of the draw tapes/ USB to ensure security of lottery data and integrity of all lotto draws. 2. Because the above processes/ requirements are necessary prior to actual 9PM draw broadcast, it is not possible to sell tickets until 9PM. Rest assure that measures are being implemented to ensure transparency and integrity in all PCSO lottery draws. These include the presence of judges/witnesses, Representatives from the different PCSO line departments and the Commission on Audit (COA) during pre-draw, draw and post draw activities. All draw activities are documented through video coverage. For your information and guidance. Thank you. Very truly yours, MA. RUCHIELLA T. JIMENEZ PCSO FOI Receiving Officer Noted: LARRY R. CEDRO PCSO FOI Decision Maker