MANILA, Philippines — A father from Quezon City has come forward to claim a P57-million Mega Lotto 6/45 jackpot prize, more than six months after the January 1, 2025 draw — but the unusual delay in claiming the winnings is once again raising eyebrows over the transparency of state-run lottery operations.
According to the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), the man said he had forgotten about the winning ticket, which he later found tucked away in a bag. He claimed the P57,030,072 prize only on July 16, 2025 after reportedly rediscovering the slip.
The winning numbers for the Jan. 1 draw were 06-41-29-12-02-15.
PCSO, which regularly announces winners of large jackpots, has in recent years faced mounting skepticism online, with some netizens questioning whether jackpot winners actually exist.
The agency maintains that all draws are conducted fairly and are closely monitored, but critics cite the lack of transparency in winner announcements and the recurring pattern of delayed or anonymous claims.
Despite the prize being confirmed as claimed, the absence of a public appearance by the winner and the convenient narrative of a “forgotten ticket” are fueling further doubts about whether these multimillion-peso wins are legitimate — or simply remain on paper.