PCSO board member Sandra Cam dies at 64
Sandra Cam, a former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office board member, died on April 10. She was 64.
Cam's son, Marco, announced the news on Facebook late in the evening. He didn't give a cause of death.
"It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our dearly beloved mother, Sandra Abaño Martinez-Cam, who was called to join our Creator on April 10, 2025," Marco said.
Noting that she was born and raised in Butuan in Masbate, Marco said his mother was "a faithful woman of God and was known for her dauntless courage, bold spirit, and unwavering dedication as a diligent fighter for truth."
These qualities, he said, made her earn awards like the "Dangal ng Bayan," "Natatanging Filipina na Sumusulong sa Pagtulong at Paglaban sa Korapsyon," and "Outstanding Asian Public Servant and Educator in the Philippines."
He noted that Cam's final role in public service was with the PCSO, "serving the poor and those in need."
Calling her "Mama Ningning," Marco said she was a "resilient single mother who raised three sons into strong, capable men—each one carrying forward her legacy of serving the Filipino people with courage and compassion."
Marco invited everyone to the viewing on Friday, April 11 at 6 p.m. in Room 506 of St. Peter's Chapel on Dr. Arcadio Santos Avenue in Parañaque.
In 2005, Cam described herself as a "jueteng" bagwoman before becoming a "whistleblower" who exposed the corruption in lotteries and among politicians.
She was appointed PCSO board member in 2017 during the Rodrigo Duterte administration.
In 2019, she asked Duterte to remove her from the position due to alleged corruption in the agency.
In 2020, Cam and her son were charged with murder in relation to the killing of former Masbate vice mayor Charlie Yuson III. They were acquitted in 2023 for lack of evidence.
Two days after her acquittal, Cam apologized to Leila De Lima, one of the fiercest critics of Duterte, saying she was "used as a tool" for the imprisonment of the former senator and justice secretary.
"Nakita ko at naranasan ko naman ang sakit at paghihirap sa kanyang pagkakakulong," she said in a press conference. "At humingi na ako ng kapatawaran at pagisisi sa aking pagkakamali and the restoration of our friendship is more important than politics."
At the time, Cam noted that there had been many threats against her life.
She vowed to assist the Marcos administration in helping other victims like De Lima.
"Hindi din ako titigil ng aking tunay na adbokasiya to fight corruption," she said, "tong mga pagpapalaya nga sa mga kulungan ng mga walang sala."
