Smart lotto winner uses ‘delaying tactic’

A 51-year-old welder from Tondo, Manila, took his sweet time to get half of the P8.2-million jackpot in the July 23 MegaLotto 6/45 draw.

The man went to claim his prize at the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) headquarters in Pasay City only on Friday or 18 days later.

Asked by PCSO General Manager Jose Ferdinand Rojas why it took him so long to collect his winnings, he answered with a grin: “Para ho hindi mahalata ng mga kapitbahay ko, sir (So my neighbors won’t notice)!”

According to Rojas, the welder came up with the winning combination 29-27-34-12-07-23 based on his father’s death anniversary and the birthdays of his loved ones.

It actually took five days before he learned he was one of the two jackpot winners, after he saw the winning numbers posted at the lotto outlet near his home where he last bought a ticket for P20.

Rojas said the man, married with kids, had been betting on the national lottery for 10 years and would use the money to renovate his small house, open his own welding shop, and fund his two children’s education.

Part of his P4.1 million winnings will also be donated to a church, the PCSO official said, quoting the winner.

The other lucky bettor, who hailed from Cavite province, claimed the other half of the jackpot three days after the draw.