Lotto winner says his kids come first

SAYING he did not want a fight to break out over his money should he pass on, a widower from Valenzuela City who bagged P15 million in the Feb. 20 lotto draw decided to split the bulk of his winnings equally among his four kids.

The 67-year-old bettor told Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) Vice Chair and General Manager Jose Ferdinand Rojas II that he would put aside a small portion of the money for his expenses and future needs and give the rest away to his children who each have their own families.

The winner told Rojas that while his children all get along, he “doesn’t want [them] quarreling [with each other] just because of the wealth he will leave behind when his time comes.”

The widower was the sole player to pick the winning number combination of 23-40-01-42-18-25 in the Feb. 20 Lotto 6/42 draw, bagging P15,293,772 by using the lucky pick feature.

When he claimed his prize at the PCSO head office in Mandaluyong City on Friday, he told Rojas that it took him 21 years of playing the lottery before he finally hit the jackpot.

The man who didn’t reveal his occupation is the seventh lotto player to win and claim his prize this year. For security and privacy reasons, the PCSO does not identify any of the winners.

The PCSO has five games in which players can win at least P6 million nightly: Lotto 6/42 (P6 million), Mega Lotto 6/45 (P9 million), Super Lotto 6/49 (P16 million), Grand Lotto 6/55 (P30 million) and the newest, Ultra Lotto 6/58 (P50 million).