Some members of the lucky 433 presented themselves, took pictures and collected their winnings at the PCSO offices in Mandaluyong. PCSO says every winner was accounted for, 151 from Metro Manila, 34 from Cavite, 22 from Rizal, 21 from Bulacan and Laguna, 14 from Batangas and Cebu, 13 from Pampanga, 11 from Pangasinan and the rest scattered across the nation. It was also noted that twelve of the winners, chose numbers through the outlet’s “Lucky Pick”.
I was told that there were 4.9 million bets on Grand Lotto-55 of P230-M jackpot prize that day. 433 winners chose the combination 9-18-27-36-45-54, and each will receive P545,245 gross, minus 20 percent TRAIN TAX, or a net winning of P436,126.
Many of the winners’ stories were diverse, from miraculous, outrageous, or mind-boggling. Many PCSO officers and employees were touched, some cried on the incredible account of each winner. One female bettor who’s relative was confined at the Philippine Heart Center went to the nearest outlet at the back and bet on her “favorite number” with deep hope and prayers. Another winner put his “last 20 pesos” on his “alaga (favorite) combination” for many years. Majority say they have been following betting patterns 9 or 8 or 7, or 6 in choosing lotto numbers for the past 10 to 20 years, and they are very grateful they hit the jackpot this time. Another lucky person was issued a double ticket by mistake, willingly paid for it, unaware that it will earn him almost a million pesos. Personally, I totally agree that this event is from the heavens, statistically rare but not impossible.
PCSO general manager Mel Robles, in an interview, emphasized, “There is no logic, no science here, and you cannot rationalize, intellectualize this game of chance”. “You can always speculate on the odds available, but again, the improbability did happen. Robles further says, “We have established the betting patterns of lotto patrons and their respective areas, and if Congress warrants it, they can be made available, including the identity of all the 433 winners”.
Robles reiterates that the entire PCSO operations is ISO-certified and that there is no human intervention on how the machine selects the winning numbers. “No one can predict the number of winners or winner as these numbers are randomly drawn live on television”.
Senator Koko Pimentel already called for the investigation of the recent lotto results, which he cited as a very rare event, statistically speaking. He wanted to ensure the integrity and therefore protect the millions of Filipino lotto bettors.
From my point of view, I think we should all be happy that these lucky 433 people are richer now by almost half a million pesos. Of course, they should be grateful to their “betting patterns” that for once, in decades, selected randomly by the lotto machine. And if a Congress probe materializes, I just hope the legislators grant an executive session and meet these happy PCSO 433 winners individually.
But seriously, I propose to investigate why there were no previous multiple winners announced in the past PCSO Grand Lotto 55, 52 or 48 draw, considering our small “lotto base”. If we only have total bets ranging from 4 to probably 7 million per drawing day, and odds are smaller, why is it that every time, no multiple people won during the past administrations?
And now that 433 people are fortunate, people start to question.
Something to think about, senators and congressmen?
(Pause for next topic)
TRANSPORT GROUPS CRY FOUL ON GRAB-MOVEIT MOTORCYCLE TAXI DEAL
It came to our attention that the TNVS dominant GRAB PHILIPPINES will soon enter the motorcycle taxi business thru a back door arrangement.
Various rider groups led by ARANGKADA Riders Alliance aired grave concerns on the DOTR-Technical Working Group’s pilot program that previously accredited ANGKAS, JOYRIDE and MOVEIT after rigorous screening and other processes.
National Chairman Rod Cruz asked Rep. Rolando Valeriano, Chairman of the House Committee on Metro Manila to investigate the publicly announced acquisition of MOVEIT by GRAB. Cruz says, “This is an underhanded move which creates a backdoor entry for GRAB PHILIPPINES, and this place the entire three-year DOTR-TWG old pilot program at risk”.
Earlier, MOVEIT insists that nothing will change despite the new Grab ownership, and they can continue to operate under the TWG accreditation. But oppositors claim otherwise.
I beg to differ, and I support the civic organizations on this one. In my opinion, the acquisition of MOVEIT does not automatically transfer the franchise or accreditation to its new owners. I believe it is correct to say that if GRAB PHILIPPINES want to enter the motorcycle taxi business, they should undergo a separate accreditation process and not buy out MOVIE IT.
If allowed by government, as in this case by DOTR-TWG, this deal becomes a very dangerous precedent.
(END)