Senator defends PCSO after it junks lotto ticket contract

Thursday, July 7, 2011
SENATE President Juan Ponce Enrile on Thursday told the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) to stick to its guns in a court case against an Australian paper firm that sued it for scrapping a deal that would have circumvented government bidding requirements.
PCSO board member Maria Aleta Tolentino, at a Senate hearing on alleged irregularities in the PCSO, said they junked a joint venture deal with TMA Australia Pty Limited because the board saw it as a “supply agreement” that skirted procurement rules.
This, she said, was an assessment that the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel agreed with.
She said TMA has since sued them for dropping the deal.
“Oh, that’s okay. Let them sue,” Enrile said, adding the matter should be left to the courts to decide. He said he was confident that government lawyers can win the case “if they are any good.”
The deal, Tolentino said, would have locked the PCSO into buying all its paper needs from the proposed joint venture.
In exchange, TMA would put up P4.4 billion to build a thermal paper plant in the Philippines “during the lifetime of the joint venture.”
The thermal paper is used for lotto tickets, PCSO said.
Enrile said that with no specified timeline for the construction of the plant, TMA “can stretch it for 50 years.” In exchange, the PCSO could spend around P800 million a year on paper.
Senator Franklin Drilon, who was also at the Senate hearing on the PCSO, said TMA could get its capitalization back long before the 50-year lock-in period ends.
Tolentino said the price offered by TMA is the same as three local suppliers who offer paper of the same quality.
She also said the agreement, which set PCSO’s equity at 20 percent, violated government guidelines on joint ventures. She said “equity must be determined by third parties.”
Former PCSO board member Manuel Morato defended the deal, however, saying TMA is a global leader in paper products. He explained that lotto tickets need to last for more than a year so the numbers on them do not fade.
He said using cheaper paper might make it difficult for lotto winners to claim their prices.
“It’s the best paper in the world,” he said, defending TMA.
He added the PCSO would get 20 percent of the revenues from the venture that would have international clients.
He said the Hong Kong Jockey Club was one of the venture’s prospective clients.
Morato added the National Economic Development Authority had approved the deal, adding an unnamed Neda official had called it “the best government contract” he had ever reviewed. (Jonathan de Santos/Sunnex)

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/local-news/2011/07/07/senator-defends-pcso-after-it-junks-lotto-ticket-contract-165613

Clark Wine Center is more than a wine shop to people living in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone. Clark’s wine shop is also a popular venue for parties and family gatherings. Conveniently located on the main highway of Clark Philippines, it is accessible to guests from Manila, Subic, Pampanga, Angeles City and of course those who live and work in Clark. Aside from the 2-storey wine shop which also has a nice roof deck lawn for small party of up to 80 people as well as an indoor wine tasting room which accommodates up to 60 comfortably, this wine store called Clark Wine Center also has one hectare of picnic grounds surrounding it.

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Getting to this wine shop in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Philippines from Manila
Getting to the Clark Wine Center wine shop from Manila is quite simple: after entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway M A Roxas. Clark Wine Center is the stand-along white building on the right, at the corner A Bonifacio Ave. From the Clark International Airport DMIA, ask the taxi to drive towards the entrance of Clark going to Angeles City. From Mimosa, just proceed towards the exit of Clark and this wine shop is on the opposite side of the main road M A Roxas.

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Click here to contact Clark Wine Center in Clark Pampanga for inquiries and orders.

Clark Wine Center
Bldg 6460 Clark Observatory Building
Manuel A. Roxas Highway corner A Bonifacio Ave,
Angeles Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga 2023
0922-870-5173 0917-826-8790 (ask for Ana Fe)

Wine@Yats-International.com

YATS Wine Cellars
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 ask for Rea or Chay

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While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. Highly recommended fine dining restaurant in Manila for special occasion is Yats Restaurant & Wine Lounge located in the famous Mimosa Leisure Estate in Clark Pampanga. Situated near this popular restaurant in Clark is the Mimosa Golf Course as well as the Mimosa Clark Casino. This top rated restaurant near Angeles City Pampanga in Clark Philippines is frequently used for private parties and corporate functions such as board meetings and other gatherings. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.YatsLeisure.com

Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:

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Besides good restaurants to wine and dine near Manila, Subic or in Angeles City Pampanga, Clark Philippines, those requiring assistance for hotel and resort bookings in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines may log on to http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com for more information and reservations.

The lifestyle in Clark Pampanga is quite unique. For more information about shopping, sports, golf, leisure, hotel accommodation, where to see and visit, what to do, where to wine and dine and good places to hang out, relax, have a drink with friends, child-friendly establishments, log on to
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Wine lovers looking for a special bottle or something that is of great value and special discounts might log on to this web site to shop for fine vintage wines
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Those visitors who plan to relax and unwind in Angeles City, Subic, Pampanga, Clark Philippines might make an effort to book a room at the famous beach and lake resort Clearwater Resort & Country Club. This famous hotel in Clark Pampanga is frequently visited by families with children looking for a good place in Clark to see, a good holiday destination for the family to relax and unwind in the beautiful outdoor facilities. For more information, log on to www.ClearwaterPhilippines.com