AT the recent “PCSO Bagong Taong Salubong sa OFWs,” the first activity of the agency for 2026, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Melquiades “Mel” Robles was emphatic at how he wants to make our overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) feel and know that the PCSO is ready to assist them in any way possible, stressing that everyone is embraced as a “kakampi.”
GM Robles made these remarks, among others, during an interview on the sidelines of the event, where he personally led the distribution of Charitimba to around 400 arriving OFWs from Kuwait at NAIA Terminal 1.
He was joined by Chief of Staff Jeremy Regino, OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne “PY” Caunan, PCSO Chair Judge Felix P. Reyes (Ret.), PCSO Board of Directors member Jennifer Liongson-Guevara, and Executive Assistant III Kristine Bernadette Llamas, Janet De Leon Mercado, and Imelda A. Papin. The Charitimba is a pail containing in-kind assistance.
By lending his presence to the affair, GM Robles said he and his team would like to make the OFWs fully aware and feel that even if they are abroad, the PCSO can be reached out to for help, especially when it comes to medical problems affecting their families.
He said, “Gusto naming maging ‘aware at conscious’ ang OFWs na meron silang tatakbuhan kahit paano… alay ng PCSO ang pandagdag na tulong at pambawas ng agam-agam habang malayo sila. Kailangan lamang nilang dumaan sa usual route gaya ng online at offices o branches ng PCSO,” assuring that the old practice of going through padrinos to access PCSO assistance is now a thing of the past.
When asked about persistent doubts regarding lotto draws, GM Robles brushed them off, saying that those who actually place bets know how transparent the processes are, while those who criticize are usually non-bettors.
“It’s a game of chance. Sinuman ang magkwestyon ay me konting diprensiya sa utak.. game of chance ito at kung sniuman ang me kontiing di pag-intindi sa game of chance, I wish I could answer that,” he stressed.
Saying the PCSO is way over the old intrigues, GM Robles added that while it is easy to dish out baseless accusations, the fact that the majority of Filipinos still patronize the lotto is enough to belie them all.
He further guaranteed that the processes are “very transparent,” noting that cameras record every movement to eliminate doubts, and that the PCSO holds ISO certification and an international gaming license.
Relatedly, he shared that some previous winners failed to manage their winnings properly and eventually returned to poverty. Because of this, the PCSO plans to introduce wealth management guidelines to help winners use their money wisely.
GM Robles also took pride in the fact that, for the first time in the agency’s history, the PCSO was able to “democratize” medical mobility by ensuring that all local government units (LGUs) received an ambulance, regardless of political affiliation.
“First time nagawang ma-democratize ang medical mobility kaya ngayon, kahit anong liit pa ng bayan ay may ambulansiya—bumoto ka man o hindi. Di gaya dati na para lang sa kakampi. Ngayon, ‘lahat kakampi’ ang turing,” he declared.
Throughout the interview, GM Robles repeatedly emphasized that the PCSO helps everyone, transcending political beliefs, affiliations, or colors—an approach he said aligns with the vision of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
This alone is already a significant feat, something the PCSO failed to achieve in the past. For that, hats off to Robles and his team—keep up the great work.
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