House probe sought on controversial lotto draw

CEBU, Philippines — The House Committee on Games and Amusements is set to investigate the controversial grand lotto draw that saw “an extremely rare outcome” wherein 433 bettors had the same winning combination and shared the P236 million jackpot prize.

According to the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, of the 433 bettors, who wagered on the same winning combination – 09-45-36-27-18-54 – numbers that are all divisible by 9, 14 bettors are in Cebu.

House Minority Leader and 4Ps Partylist Representative Marcelino “Nonoy” Libanan, in a statement, said that he filed House Resolution No. 463 enabling the inquiry into the 6/55 lotto draw conducted by the state-run PCSO on October 1, 2022.

In his resolution, Libanan cited the need for Congress “to protect and ensure the integrity” of the lotto draws that he said contribute in a big way to government coffers and help finance public health programs as well as medical assistance and services to indigents, among other charities.

“We also have to safeguard the hopes and dreams of millions of Filipinos that patronize the lotto draws every day,” Libanan said.

Libanan added that the lotto draws over the years "have inspired many Filipinos to buy tickets in the hope of winning a life-changing amount of money.”

All the winning bettors shared the jackpot prize of around P545,000 each, excluding tax deductions.

The highly unusual result, Libanan said, has triggered widespread social and traditional media discussion on whether fraud had attended the draw.

The PCSO on the other hand has reassured the public that the lotto draws are being conducted in accordance with the highest standards of transparency, honesty and fairness. —   GMR (FREEMAN)