MANILA, Philippines — A 43-year-old taxi driver from Cebu City became P9 million richer on Friday after claiming the jackpot prize in the 6/45 lotto draw, which he won in June.
The winner had been placing his bets since 1998 on a set of numbers based on his and his wife’s birth and wedding anniversary dates, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) General Manager Jose Ferdinand Roxas II said.
On the night of June 5, during the 6/45 draw, the computer system had finally generated the numbers he thought were lucky –17-25-01-26-07-10.
Rojas II said that during the turnover of the check at the PCSO headquarters in Pasay, he had asked why it took him too long to claim his prize. The winner said he had to wait for his brother-in-law to come home from Mindanao to accompany him to Manila.
“This is my first time in Manila, Sir,” Roxas said quoting the lotto winner.
The taxi driver told Rojas he would spend his winnings on buying a house and lot, his own taxi cab and passenger jeepney.
The winner also said he would share a portion of the prize with his poor siblings.