MANILA, Philippines—Malacañang on Tuesday denied that President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to stop all Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) gaming schemes was just a diversion from the Chief Executive’s decision to veto the Security of Tenure (SOT) bill.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo issued the statement after Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate said that the temporary closure of PCSO games was meant to divert public attention away from the government’s failure to enact the measure that will prohibit contractualization of laborers.

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In a Palace briefing, Panelo said Zarate may have forgotten the Duterte administration’s initiatives that led to the regularization of thousands of workers in the country.

He also defended Duterte’s rejection of the SOT bill, noting that enterprises, especially the smaller ones, will be severely affected by the enactment of the law.

“Unang-una, doon po sa kaibigan kong si Congressman Zarate: Congressman Zarate, nakalimutan mo na ilang taon na iyan na may endo, decades. Nung dumating si Presidente ang daming na-regularize, daang libo, at ang kanyang focus ay matigil iyan,” Panelo said.

“Tandaan po natin na kailangan mo ng negosyo para magkaroon ng trabaho ang mga manggagawa. Kung ipapatupad mo ang present bill na hindi pinirmahan ni Presidente, eh magkakaroon ng dislocation iyong maliliit na enterprises na hindi pa kayang ipatupad iyon,” he added.

Duterte ordered on Friday night the immediate stoppage of all PCSO-operated, -licensed, and -franchised games, citing alleged “massive corruption.” /jpv

READ: Duterte stops all PCSO gaming activities including lotto, STL

READ: It’s official: Duterte vetoes Security of Tenure bill

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