Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) Gen. Manager Mel Robles doused cold water on speculations of manipulation in the results of the controversial grand 6/49 grand lotto draw where more than PHP640-million prize was won by a lone bettor.
“Even we, PCSO officials, cannot manipulate the system,” said Robles.
Senate Games and Amusement chairperson Sen. Raffy Tulfo said he got complaints that the grand winner was in cahoots with some PCSO officials to win the grand prize.
Earlier, Tulfo said he was informed that bets were placed on 14 million combinations so they would win the jackpot prize.
He said some bettors were asked to put their bets on all possible combinations.
They spent PHP280 million which was deducted from the more than PHP640 million won.
He said this can be done within 24 hours if there are at least 10 machines.
Facing Tulfo’s committee for the second time, Robles emphasized it is anybody’s right to put a bet.
He also related that, based on their records, nobody betted on some other combinations at the time when the jackpot was won last January 17.
“Betting on all combinations is the right of everybody, it does not guarantee… assuming somebody betted on all combinations, if you can, it does not guarantee that you will get the jackpot by yourself. “
He assured his readiness to submit to Tulfo’s committee the PCSO records pertaining to this matter.
The senator also inquired into the possible connivance with PCSO to manipulate the draw.
But PCSO officials said there are always people from the Commission on Audit. There is also a CCTV installed in the room where the drawing is conducted.
“You know among yourselves who won but we the public don’t know yet until released to the public,” he said. Meanwhile, Robles pointed out a “marketing campaign” the augmentation of lotto jackpot prize to encourage more. He said it is also a way of thanking the bettors for patronizing PCSO in the last 30 days.
