PCSO chairman denies fixing cases for Atong

The chairman of the board of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), Felix Reyes, decried recent statements of Julie Patidongan, alias "Totoy," claiming that the retired judge had fixed cases for gambling tycoon Charlie "Atong" Ang.

- By RAINIER ALLAN RONDA

"I categorically deny such wild accusations of Mr. Patidongan. I dare him to identify any specific case of Mr. Atong Ang or anything related to the Sabungero Case, which I understand is still pending in court, that I fixed or settled to the advantage of Mr. Ang.

If Mr. Patidongan cannot substantiate his accusation of case-fixing, I ask him to shut up," Reyes said in an official statement issued by his office yesterday morning.

Reyes, who also previously served as president of the Philippine Judges Association, said that he is open and willing to cooperate with any investigation related to Patidongan's claims.

Reyes said he was giving the Bureau of Immigration a free hand to look into and release records of his travels abroad since his retirement as judge in October 2021, to verify Patidongan's claim that he had led foreign travels with fiscals and judges in relation to his supposed case-fixing activities for Ang.

"I find it perhaps a rare coincidence that these wild accusations of Mr. Patidongan came out a day after I filed my application for the position of ombudsman," Reyes said.

Simultaneous search

Authorities have begun scouring multiple locations in Laguna, Batangas, Metro Manila and nearby provinces in search of the remains of 34 missing cockfight enthusiasts or sabungeros, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen.

Nicolas Torre III said yesterday.

In an interview with reporters, Torre confirmed that the PNP has been working closely with the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the National Police Commission (Napolcom) to pursue both criminal and administrative angles in the years-long case.

"There are no major updates overnight, but we are actively working on this case," Torre said.

The PNP chief said investigators have already visited several sites believed to be dumping grounds for the victims' bodies.