Margie Juico, the head of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) just admitted that she and the rest of the board composed of her kababayan, Betty Nantes, Atty. Aleta Tolentino, Francisco Joaquin and Mamba have erred in accusing the Catholic bishops of violating the law. Juico admitted before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing today that there was no luxury vehicles bought by the seven bishops of the Catholic Church, proving that what Juico said a few days earlier which justified the Senate hearing, was just a PR or Publicity stunt. There were no "Pajeros" or luxury vehicles given to the Catholic church as a donation. And even if the Church officials did get luxury vehicles, there was nothing illegal about it, says Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago. Santiago, who heads the Senate's constitutional amendments committee, lambasted the PCSO board led by Juico. She even hinted that the PCSO board is just trying to divert the issue since certain irregularities have been committed by the present board. Former PCSO chairman Manoling Morato filed cases against the current PCSO board for their decision to transfer the PCSO offices to PICC and for transferring PCSO funds to a private bank, a clear violation of the PCSO CHARTER. Clearly, the Church was made a "sacrificial lamb" by Juico and the Board to score pogi points from the President of the Philippines. Days before, there was news going around that Pnoy will sack the entire PCSO board for gross mismanagement. Sensing that she will lose her post, Juico through her publicist pro-Arroyo Dante Ang, unleashed a campaign which was composed of unfounded allegations and charges without legal basis. Now, Juico admitted that she erred. see link: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/23694/pcso-chief-juico-sorry-for-not-clearing-up-%E2%80%98pajero%E2%80%99-bishops-controversy-sooner. Her apology is not enough. The image and reputation of the Catholic Church has been destroyed. The Catholic hierarchy must not allow a mere apology from Juico. The Church should consider filing libel cases against Juico and the rest of the board. We ask President Benigno Aquino to sack Juico and the board for four (4) simple reasons: 1. MIsmanagement. The PCSO is an important agency of government. Margie Juico's admission that she erred in even reading and appreciating the COA report shows lack of management skills. She is incompetent. She and the rest of the board have no reason to head this agency. Since Juico's assumption into office, more than 35 kidney patients have died and scores of kids left uncared for due to the sudden stoppage of funds from the PCSO to orphanages. The PCSO is also saddled with huge debts. 2. Nepotism and graft and corruption. The PCSO board has committed grievous errors particularly on deciding to break the 50-year agreement with the Quezon Institute, transfer of public funds to a private bank which is a clear violation of Philippine laws and of nepotism and graft and corruption. Juico has been clearly found wanting in managing the PCSO. 3. Irregularities in Loterya ng Bayan. The real reason why the PCSO board led by Juico undertook a PR campaign is to hide the irregularities committed by the board. Juico and the board allowed illicit transactions in the Loterya ng Bayan. 4. Incompetence. Board members Attys. Aleta Tolentino and Francisco Joaquin have pending warrants of arrest. Betty Nantes is not qualified to become director. While Mamba is clearly not qualified. These people have been appointed due to political accommodation. We ask the President to immediately sack these people from the PCSO board. We welcome Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago's decision to scrap the PR fund budget of the agency and cleanse the agency of misfits and irregularities by overhauling its charter.