The appointment of former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Royina Garma’s family members into positions at the corporation was brought into question by the House Quad Committee on Friday.
Santa Rosa, Laguna Representative Dan Fernandez confirmed with the retired police colonel that she had hired seven of her relatives while serving as the head of PCSO.
He took issue with the appointment of Garma’s daughter, whom he considered “sick.” The daughter was diagnosed with dyslexia, ADHD, bipolar disorder, and depression.
One qualification for the position of confidential agent is previous experience in law enforcement, which Garma conceded her daughter didn’t have. In spite of this, she defended her daughter’s credibility.
“Dyslexia is not a disease, it is a learning disorder but she was able to overcome it, and continuous po ‘yung therapy niya (her therapy was continuous) during that time. She's very brilliant in communication,” she justified. She went on to say her daughter had been in her high school’s publication,
It was also verified with Garma that her first cousin was hired as nurse, her sister-in-law given administrative duties, a first cousin was made consultant to the IT, and that cousin’s wife Garma’s private secretary. Another wife to a first cousin of hers was also taken in, and one more first cousin was hired as security detail.
When asked whether she considered it unethical to install members of her family in the PCSO, she responded that “The positions that were given to them, ang requirement lang po (The only requirement) is trust and confidence.”
