Grand Lotto jackpot reaches P650 M for today's draw

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) announced yesterday that the most coveted jackpot for the 6/55 Grand Lotto online lottery is expected to reach P650 million in tonight’s draw.

PCSO chair Margie Juico in a statement said that the high turnout of bettors is a demonstration of the people’s confidence in the state-run lotto.

“People continue to troop to lotto outlets all over the country to place their bets, not only to win but also because bets make it possible for PCSO to aid the indigent sick,” she said.

Juico expressed hope that somebody would finally hit the jackpot in the next draw. “Sana may tumama na para maging mas maligaya ang Pasko nila (I hope somebody finally wins the jackpot so that their Christmas would be truly joyous). I also hope that there will be several winners. The more the merrier,” she said. 

PCSO said 1,551 Filipinos have become instant millionaires after winning the lotto since the online lottery was launched in 1995.

As of Nov. 24, 2010, PCSO has given out more than P26 billion in jackpot prizes for the winners of the 6/42 Regular, 6/45 Mega, and 6/49 Super lotto draws. 

The first solo winner of the 6/55 Grand Lotto from Batangas won more than P134 million in the draw last May 12, 2010. Juico said the lotto draws are transparent and are carried out professionally, aired live daily at 9 p.m. over NBN Channel 4.

A panel of judges composed of private individuals witness the pre-draw, actual draw and post-draw procedures.  

“In our office, where the lotto draws are held, there are observers from the PCSO and various representatives from the public to protect the integrity of the system. The draws are open to the public.” 

Thirty percent of lotto sales are used for the medical and health services of indigent patients nationwide, including hospitalization assistance, medical/dental missions and ambulance donations, among other charity concerns. 

If lotto winners fail to claim their prizes within one year after the draw, the unclaimed prizes automatically go to the PCSO charity fund.  

Senators gave different opinions yesterday about the proposal to put a P500-million cap on the prize money for the lotto.

Sen. Jinggoy Estrada said that the lotto, as a game of chance, should be allowed to run as intended, even if the jackpot reaches P1 billion.

“To me, the more the merrier. Why should we put a ceiling on it? Even if it reaches a billion, it’s all about luck,” Estrada said. Sen. Franklin Drilon shared the same opinion, saying that the increase in the prize money generates greater interest in the game.

In contrast, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III aired their support for the proposal of Eastern Samar Gov. Ben Evardone for the P500-million cap on the lotto jackpot.

Sotto said that it would be overwhelming for any person, even the affluent, to receive half a billion or more from the lottery.

‘Even if you’re rich and used to having money, if you suddenly come into P600 million, I think you would go dizzy over that,” Sotto said.

Enrile also said that placing a cap would be a welcome move after the pot is won because it would be unfair to all those who have been betting on the lottery.

Sen. Francis Escudero said that he would not oppose the proposal of Evardone as long as the forfeited money would all go to charity.

Evardone supported yesterday President Aquino’s decision to transfer the supervision of the PCSO from the Department of Health (DOH) to the Office of the President (OP).

“I think that any wild speculation as to the motive behind the transfer is totally unfounded. The move will keep PCSO officials on their toes as it is the Palace no less that will keep a watchful eye on their operations,” he said.

There were speculations that the President returned the PCSO to the OP to further bloat the presidential pork barrel since the PCSO has billions in funds for financial assistance to the poor and to local government units.

Malacañang officials have said the PCSO had always been under the OP, and it was only during the time of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo when the agency’s supervision was transferred to the DOH.

Evardone said that to streamline PCSO operations, the agency should decentralize its public service programs so that people in the provinces need not travel to Manila to seek financial assistance. 

PCSO rejects cap on jackpot

The PCSO rejected the proposal of Evardone to limit the prizes in lotteries. PCSO chair Juico said it would be unfair to put a cap to the prize money as this belong to the bettors and no one could just limit what they ought to get. 

Juico said the winners would normally get a lump sum check from the Land Bank of the Philippines, which they must withdraw at the right branch. – With Marvin Sy, Jess Diaz