LEGAZPI CITY, Albay (PIA) -- The lone winner of the jackpot prize in last Friday's Ultra Lotto 6/58 draw claimed the P571-million  prize  at the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office last Tuesday, January 2.

"This morning she claimed the prize, (and she was) accompanied by her brother. She was really nervous. In fact, nangingilid yung luha nya [tears were welling up in her eyes]," said lawyer Lauro Patiag, the PCSO assistant general manager.

As reported by the PCSO, the woman from Ligao City who correctly guessed the winning combination 19-35-25-42-58-05, later declared that PCSO games and draws were real and authentic.

"Ang masasabi ko lang sa mga nagsasabi na hindi totoo ang mga nanalo sa Lotto ay nagkakamali po kayo [All I can say to those who say that lotto winners are unreal is you are wrong]," the lucky woman said.

"Kailangan niyo tumaya para malaman niyo na totoo ang lotto," she added.

The new millionaire plans to put her winnings into savings and charity.

Although she had been betting on the Scratch It games for the past four years, her winning bet was just her second try in  PCSO lotto draws using a lucky pick betting system.

The woman said that the huge prize offered under "Handog Pakabog"  prompted her to try her luck in the 6/58 lottery.

The PCSO increased the minimum guaranteed jackpot for the Ultra Lotto 6/58 and Grand Lotto 6/55 to guaranteed P500 million each on December 16, 2023, in line with the agency's 'Handog Pakabog' Christmas draws.

PCSO General Manager Melquiades Robles said it was intended to show the PCSO's gratitude to lotto patrons during the holiday season.

The jackpot prize for 6/55, which has reached P574 million, remains up for grabs.

Under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion law, winnings over P10,000 is subject to a 20 percent tax, which will be automatically deducted from the total prize.

The PCSO is the principal government agency for raising and providing funds for health programs, medical assistance and services, and charities of national character. It holds and conducts charity sweepstakes, races, and lotteries to provide for permanent and continuing sources of funds for those programs. (PIA5 Albay)