Winner of P571-M jackpot claims prize, says lotto is real

The solo winner of the P571-million jackpot prize of the Ultra Lotto 6/58 drawn last Friday claimed the winnings on Tuesday afternoon, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) said. 

The lucky bettor from Albay grabbed the lotto pot by hitting the correct combination 19-35-25-42-58-05 for the prize of P571,554,916.40.

"Ang masasabi ko lang sa mga nagsasabi na hindi totoo ang mga nanalo sa Lotto ay nagkakamali po kayo. Kailangan niyo tumaya para malaman niyo na totoo ang lotto," the bettor said after claiming the prize at the PCSO main office in Mandaluyong City. 

The winner plans to put the winnings into savings and give a portion to charity.

Under the TRAIN Law, winnings over P10,000 are subject to a 20% tax, which will be automatically deducted from the total prize.

Minus the tax, the winner will take home P457,243,933.  When asked to confirm the amount, PCSO general manager Melquiades Robles said, "Is that the 80%? If yes then that’s correct."

The PCSO hiked the minimum guaranteed jackpot for the Ultra Lotto 6/58 and Grand Lotto 6/55 to P500 million each on December 16, 2023, in line with the agency's 'Handog Pakabog' Christmas draws.

Robles said this shows the PCSO's gratitude to lotto patrons during the Yuletide season.

Meanwhile, there is no winner yet for the jackpot prize for 6/55, which is now at P574 million.—LDF, GMA Integrated News