Ultra Lotto winner from Eastern Samar borrows money to get prize

MANILA, Philippines — One of the two winners of the P1.18-billion Ultra Lotto 6/58 jackpot had to borrow money to travel to Manila from Borongan City, Eastern Samar to claim his prize on Oct. 16.

“Siya ay family man. Talagang masa siya (He’s a family man… truly from the masses). He even had to borrow money for his fare and he traveled by land,” Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) deputy spokesman Florante Solmerin told The STAR yesterday.

Solmerin added that the new multi-millionaire also borrowed money for the fare of a relative that he took along with him to claim his prize.

Solmerin said the Eastern Samar winner got a P472-million check.

Winners have at least a year from winning to claim their prize. Once the period expires, unclaimed prizes go to the charity fund of the PCSO.

Meanwhile, the PCSO is waiting for the other winner to claim the other half of the jackpot.

Arnel Casas, PCSO deputy general manager for gaming, told The STAR that the winning bettor bought the ticket from newly opened SM City Legazpi in Legazpi City, Albay.