Janitor wins P14.7M lotto jackpot

For a decade, a janitor from Davao City made sure he had spare change so he could place a bet on the lottery. His small sacrifice paid off on Tuesday when he claimed the P14.7-million 6/45 jackpot prize.

The 30-year-old father of one was the lone player who correctly picked the winning combination 20-05-42-14-12-24 in the Mega Lotto’s April 29 draw. He took home exactly P14,705,448, said Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) Vice Chair and General Manager Jose Ferdinand Rojas II.

When the winner claimed his prize at the PCSO’s head office in Mandaluyong City on Tuesday, he told Rojas that with his winnings, he would quit his decade-long job as a janitor and buy himself a jeepney, which he would either rent out or drive himself.

The winner also expressed plans to buy a house and lot for his family, and start up a small grocery store, which his wife would manage.

Rojas said that the winner, the third in a brood of five, would also use his newfound wealth to help improve the lives of his siblings and poor relatives.

The latest lotto winner has been playing the lottery for the last decade and bought three tickets when he won the jackpot prize. He got the winning numbers from his wedding anniversary, and the ages and birthdates of his wife, son and niece.

Rojas said the agency was glad that they were able to “help [one of] our countrymen fulfill his dream of becoming an instant millionaire by patronizing our lotto games.” SM