PCSO Chair Challenges Whistleblower to Prove Allegations Against Atong Ang

Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) Chairperson and retired judge Felix Reyes has challenged whistleblower Julie Patidongan to substantiate his accusations linking 'a former judge' to alleged 'case fixing' in favor of businessman Atong Ang in connection with the missing sabungeros case.

In a statement released Wednesday, Reyes said Patidongan should identify a case involving Ang, or any matter related to the missing sabungeros, that would indicate he allegedly 'fixed or settled it to the advantage' of the businessman.

'If Mr. Patidongan cannot substantiate his accusation of case-fixing, I ask him to shut up,' Reyes added.

The PCSO chief was referring to Patidongan's recent remark in a radio interview that 'a former judge' is allegedly involved in fixing Atong Ang's cases related to the missing sabungeros.

Patidongan also said the former judge now holds a high-ranking position in the PCSO and is being protected by other top officials.

Reyes said in the statement, 'I categorically deny such wild accusations of Mr. Patidongan.'

'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,' he added.

Patidongan recently identified Ang and actress Gretchen Barretto as the masterminds behind the case of the missing sabungeros, whom he claimed were killed and their bodies dumped into the Taal lake three years ago.

Reyes also said he is willing to authorize the Bureau of Immigration to disclose his travel records from the time he retired from the judiciary on October 1, 2021, up to the present 'to dispel any notion of travels abroad with prosecutors and judges.'

'I wish to state that I am ready and willing to cooperate in any investigation by any government agency that will shed light on these baseless allegations of Mr. Patidongan and spare the judiciary and the prosecution service from the undeserved tarnishing of these institutions,' he added.

Reyes previously served as a Regional Trial Court (RTC) judge in Marikina City and as president of the Philippine Judges Association before being appointed chairperson of the PCSO board in 2024.

He also held posts as acting presiding judge of Taguig City RTC Branch 70 from 2017 to 2019, RTC judge in Lipa City from February 2011 to September 2021, and in Calamba City from 2011 to 2013.

According to the source: Inquirer.net.