WINNER. PCSO Assistant General Manager for Administrative Sector Lauro Patiag (right) on Jan. 3, 2023 hands over the check worth over PHP114 million to the winner of the Dec. 23, 2022 Mega Lotto 6/45 draw at the PCSO main office in Mandaluyong City. The new millionaire revealed that he has been a regular lotto player for 15 years and that his winning combination consists of his favorite numbers. (Photo courtesy of PCSO)
MANILA – The new year ushered in a prosperous start for a businessman from Nueva Ecija province who claimed the PHP114-million jackpot prize of the Mega Lotto 6/45.
In a statement Thursday, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) said the winner who hails from Sto. Domingo town claimed the jackpot prize last Jan. 3 at its main office in Mandaluyong City.
The bettor guessed the winning combination 11-21-01-12-17-03 during the Dec. 23, 2022 Mega Lotto draw.
The new millionaire revealed that he has been a regular lotto player for 15 years and that his winning combination consists of his favorite numbers.
He mentioned that his previous wins came only from four-digit winnings and 'balik-taya' (return of bet).
“Lubos akong nagpapasalamat sa PCSO at sa Panginoon sa pagkapanalo ko sa lotto. Di ko po inasahan na sa ganitong panahon ko mapapanalunan ang jackpot, tamang tama magpa-Pasko pa yun. Hindi ko po maipaliwanag ang aking nararamdaman (I am very thankful to the PCSO and the Lord for winning the lottery. I didn't expect that at this time I would win the jackpot, it came at the right time before Christmas. I can't explain what I feel),” he said.
The winner, who has spent majority of his life in business, has already planned how he will utilize his winnings.
“Sa totoo lang po, naging maayos naman po ang naging takbo ng buhay ko. Nakita ko ang pangangailangan ng aking mga kababayan at napagpasyahan ko po na unahing ipantulong ang makukuha kong premyo mula sa lotto. Ipagpapatuloy ko rin at palalaguin ang aking mga negosyo at syempre mag-iipon para sa kinabukasan ng aking pamilya (To be honest, my life is pretty well. I saw the needs of my countrymen and I decided to first help them with the prize I got from the lottery. I will also continue to grow my businesses and of course save for the future of my family),” he said.
The winner advised the gaming public to continue patronizing the PCSO games.
To avoid forfeiture of winnings, winners have one year from the date of the draw to claim the prize, as specified in Republic Act No. 1169.
The PCSO further reminds the public that all lotto jackpot prizes must be claimed at the PCSO Main Office, Shaw Boulevard in Mandaluyong City.
To claim prizes, winners must write their names and sign at the back of the winning ticket, and present two government-issued IDs.
The public is also reminded that prizes are subject to tax as provided for in the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion law.
2.7K indigents get over P22-M medical aid
Meanwhile, the PCSO has released more than PHP22.6 million in medical assistance to 2,766 eligible indigent beneficiaries nationwide from Jan. 3 to 6.
Among the beneficiaries were 329 individuals from the National Capital Region (NCR) who received a total of PHP4.2 million, and 556 individuals from Northern and Central Luzon who were given PHP4.9 million.
In the Southern Tagalog and Bicol Regions, around PHP5.1 million was released to 722 indigents.
In the Visayas, the PCSO also assisted 543 individuals who were provided with PHP4.1 million in medical aid, while 616 individuals in Mindanao received PHP4.1 million in benefits.
Last December, PCSO General Manager Melquiades Robles handed over a check worth PHP1,313,447 to Malabon City Mayor Jeannie Sandoval, as the city’s lotto shares for the period of January to June 2022.
“I would like to thank PCSO GM Mel Robles for dropping by to personally deliver the PCSO Lotto proceeds or shares to us. I would like to encourage everyone to patronize the PCSO products. Let us now fight the illegal numbers games. Thank you so much,” Sandoval said.
Robles urged the public to support the agency’s gaming products in order to raise additional revenue for health initiatives, medical services, and other national charities.
The more Lotto outlets a municipality or city has, the higher the shares it will receive.
Through its mandatory contributions, the PCSO not only helps individuals in need of medical assistance but also provides funds to government institutions. (PNA)
