PCSO chief clarifies: 20-time same-month lotto winner didn't hit jackpot

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office General Manager Mel Robles said on Wednesday that the lottery bettor who won 20 times in the same month did not get jackpot prizes in six-digit games but rather won in "low-tier" games.

The PCSO chief said this a day after Sen. Raffy Tulfo, heading the investigation into the integrity of PCSO games, revealed that a lottery bettor won 20 times in a single month.

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"Wala pong nanalo ng 20 jackpot games in one month. Pero maaaring ang isang tao ay mag-claim nang 20 times, or even more, sa ibang games namin," Robles said in an interview with GMA News. 

(No one has won 20 jackpot games in one month. But one person can claim 20 times, or even more, in our other games.)

Robles also said that it might be possible that other individuals, such as lottery outlet owners, claimed the prizes on behalf of the bettors.

Because of this system, the person claiming the prize may not be the one who bought the winning ticket, especially for winners in the provinces.

“Kasi 'yung mga iba walang ID, kasi 'yung iba [ay] physically hindi kaya. So these are regular. Bago pa ako dumating, ganyan na talaga ang practice noon. Paki-claim... 'Yung claimant ng winning ticket is not necessarily the winner [for lower-tier games]," Robles said. 

(Because some lack identification or face physical challenges, these situations common. Even before I arrived, that was already the practice. The claimant of the winning ticket is not necessarily the winner [for lower-tier games].)

"Yung jackpot, personally ka pupunta sa PCSO [main office]... Posibleng 20 times [pareho] 'yung nag-claim [sa lower-tier], or even more... Parang paid to cash na tseke 'yan eh. 'Pag hawak mo, iyo 'yan eh,” she added.

(For the jackpot, you personally go to the PCSO main office... It's possible that the claimant for the lower-tier prizes is the same person 20 times, or even more... It's like a paid to cash check. Once you hold it, it's yours.)

Robles said that the agency would investigate the matter, especially with lottery agents who practice this act.

Lotto prizes of P10,000 or less can be