MANILA, Philippines - A 57-year-old jeepney driver from Cainta, Rizal whose house was destroyed by tropical storm “Ondoy” in 2009 claimed yesterday the P23,585,160.60 jackpot prize of the 6/45 Mega Lotto draw last March 21, a Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) official said.
PCSO general manager Jose Ferdinand Rojas II said the driver was among the three winners of the 6/45 Mega Lotto last week.
Lawyer Lauro Patiag, PCSO internal audit department manager, said in his report to PCSO chairperson Margie Juico said the lucky bettor has joined the lotto every day after his house was destroyed during the typhoon, hoping that he would hit the jackpot so he could rebuild his home.
Patiag said the jeepney driver has set aside P20 per day for the six-digit combination 12-14-18-19-32-34 comprising the birthdays of his family members.
Accompanied by his 32-year-old son, the jeepney driver went to the PCSO central office at the Philippine International Convention Center to claim his prize.
“The driver wants to buy a brand new passenger jeepney and also house and lot for his family,” Patiag said.
The lotto winner also wanted his wife and daughter who are working abroad to return home so that they can start rebuilding their lives.
Two lucky players from Las Piñas City and Iriga City also hit the winning combination of the 6/49 Super Lotto draw, sharing the P76,874,533.20 prize, Rojas said.
The winning combination of 03-37-10-07-23-05 was sold in lotto outlets at BF Homes, Village Talon 3, Las Piñas City and on Rizal Street in Iriga City.
He said the two still unidentified winners are the 26th and 27th instant lotto millionaires for this year.
“Every player has the chance to become instant lotto millionaires,” Rojas said.