(Photo courtesy of PCSO)
MANILA – An entrepreneur from Cagayan de Oro City who became an instant millionaire after winning the Grand Lotto 6/55 jackpot on Jan. 7 plans to donate a portion of his prize to flood victims in Mindanao.
“Ipang-pupuhunan ko ito sa aking business at sa wakas meron na din budget para sa pagpapakasal namin ng aking fiancé. Pagkakataon ko na po i-share yung biyaya na natanggap ko. Gusto ko po tulungan yung mga binaha po sa amin lalo na po yung mga taga Misamis Occidental (I will invest this in my business and finally have a budget for our wedding. It's my chance to share the grace I received. I want to help those who were flooded in our area, especially those from Misamis Occidental),” the winner said in a statement released by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) on Thursday.
The businessman claimed half of the PHP142.5 million jackpot prize at the PCSO main office in Mandaluyong City.
The winning tickets were bought in Calamba City, Laguna and Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental.
“Ginuhit-guhitan ko lang yung mga kursunada kong numbers at sa awa ng Diyos binigay nya sa akin ang blessings na ito sa loob ng halos 15 years kong pagtaya sa lotto (I just drew my lucky numbers and by the mercy of God, he gave me these blessings during my 15 years of betting on the lottery),” the winner said.
The winner also thanked the PCSO for its continued assistance to indigent Filipinos.
“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa PCSO dahil napakadami nyo pong natutulungan na mahihirap natin mga kababayan lalo na po yung mga may sakit at salamat po sa Panginoon dahil binigay po niya sa akin ang biyaya na ito. Hindi ko po ito ipagdadamot dahil babalik naman po ulit ito sa ibang paraan (I am grateful to PCSO because you have helped so many of our poor countrymen, especially those who are sick, and I thank the Lord for giving me this blessing. I won't hold it against you because it will come back in a different way)," he added.
PCSO General Manager Melquiades Robles encouraged the public to continue their support and patronage of all the gaming products of PCSO, including Lotto and Small Town Lottery (STL), to generate funds for the agency’s charity programs.
“Tuloy-tuloy lang po sa pagtangkilik sa ating Lotto at STL games dahil ang kinikita po dito ay siya nating ginagamit na pantulong sa ating mga kababayan through PCSO Charity Programs (Please continue to patronize our games like Lotto and STL games because the earnings here are used to help our fellow citizens through PCSO Charity Programs),” said Robles.
Lotto results and other details of the PCSO games, products and services can be viewed on the PCSO Official Website, PCSO FB Page and PCSO GOV Channel in YouTube.
To avoid forfeiture of winnings, winners have one year from the date of the draw to claim the prize, as specified in Republic Act 1169.
All lotto jackpot prizes must be claimed at the PCSO main office along 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 over PHP10,000 are subject to a 20 percent tax as provided in the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion law.
The PCSO is urging the public to patronize its games to generate more funds for health programs, medical assistance and services, and charities.
Through its mandatory contributions, the PCSO not only helps individuals in need of medical assistance but also provides funds to government institutions. (PNA)
