MANILA - After his supposed removal from office, senators believe it is now time to hold retired Marine general Alexander Balutan liable for alleged corruptions during his time as general manager of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).

In a statement on Saturday, Sen. Panfilo Lacson urged Malacañang to file criminal charges against Balutan for violating the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

“When we conducted senate hearings on the possible corruption in the PCSO under his watch in relation to STL (small-town lottery) operations, I kept asking myself – what has happened to this man? If only his demeanor and other data gathered by our committee in those hearings, I am inclined to think there is basis in his sacking as PCSO Gen. Manager,” the senator said.

Lacson chairs the Senate Committee on Games and Amusement, which conducted an inquiry in January 2018 on alleged corruption relating to PCSO's STL operations.

Balutan, a member of the Philippine Military Academy class of 1983, also drew controversy over a supposedly lavish PCSO Christmas party in 2017, where the agency spent about P6 million.

• Balutan: Spending P6M for PCSO Christmas party was 'appropriate'

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said Balutan should have been fired long ago.

“This guy should have been removed sooner – unconscionably spending 6 million pesos on a grand Christmas party. The money was meant to help indigents who are lining up [at] PCSO's door steps,” he said in a tweet.

Balutan was appointed to head the PCSO in September 2016.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said on Friday that Balutan was fired "due to serious allegations of corruption." He did not elaborate.

“Those who fail to observe the same will inexorably suffer the harsh and punitive consequences,” Panelo said in a statement.

“We hope that this will serve as a stern warning to all government officials and employees that there are no sacred cows in the current administration, especially when it comes to serving the Filipino people with integrity and loyalty.”

PCSO deputy spokesperson Florante Solmerin, meanwhile, claimed that Balutan was not fired but “opted to resign from his post for personal reasons.”

• READ: Duterte fires PCSO general manager Balutan