There is widespread talk that a “ghost winner” hit the P249.8-million jackpot for the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes 6/55 draw last Monday, but PCSO chairperson Margarita Juico was quick to deny the allegations.
Was there really a winner in Monday’s lottery draw?
The Facebook page Filipino’s Patriotism posted an alleged photo of the draw results showing zero winners for the jackpot.
The photo, dated April 8 but supposedly showing the winning numbers for April 7, allegedly revealed that there were zero winners for the jackpot and two for the P169,410 pot money, which was won for getting five out of the six numbers correct.
The Facebook post pointed out that the PCSO announced that 25 individuals won P169,410 each.
Many netizens expressed disbelief or said the “scam” has long been going on. One person commented that he was a lotto teller and he was also dumbfounded at the supposed revelation.
But PCSO chairperson Margarita Juico quickly denied the allegations.
The PCSO earlier said a bettor from Muntinlupa City who placed her bet in Makati City won the P249.8 million 6/55 Grand Lotto jackpot prize.
In her explanation on “Unang Hirit” on Friday, Juico said two service providers — Pacific Online and Philippine Gaming Management Corporation — are serving the over 6,000 PCSO outlets nationwide. The two provide a rundown of the results after the draw.
“Naglalabas sila (service providers) tuwing draw ng papel na magsasabi na, 'Hindi sa mga outlet namin [nanggaling 'yung] nanalo, kaya nakalagay 'No winner',” she said.
“Ibig sabihin, [may mga] outlet na zero 'yung nanalo sa jackpot na 'yon. Du'n naman sa kabilang service provider, isa ang nanalo,” she added.
She also said that the paper in the photo was an “internal document” in the PCSO, and that investigation is ongoing to determine who released it.--Source: GMA/Inquirer