PCSO eyeing launch of new lotto game with P1-B jackpot in 2024
By Sonny Daanoy
The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) announced on Wednesday, Dec. 20 its plan to establish a new lottery game with a base jackpot prize of P1 billion.

In a TeleRadyo Serbisyo interview, PCSO General Manager Mel Robles announced the initiative, which, according to him, is based on a multi-state lottery game in the United States.
"If I may announce, we also have plans to set the base prize at P1 billion, and we will implement that next year," Robles said in a mix of English and Filipino.
"We will pattern it after the Powerball in the US. This is a different jackpot game," he added.
PCSO files motion for reconsideration over damaged lotto ticket
Meanwhile, Robles said the agency has filed a Motion of Reconsideration (MR) regarding the 2014 lottery ticket ironing incident, which left the ticket partially blackened.
"We filed a Motion for Reconsideration because that was the requirement, and it was the instruction of the old board to exhaust all legal means to hold," Robles said.
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He clarified that a finality order from the SC will be necessary in order for Antonio F. Mendoza, the P12.3 million winner in 2014, to claim his prize.
"But of course, personally, even the sentiment of the board is to just get on with it—because it has been a long time for the people to see that while we do not agree with the process, the Supreme Court has spoken, and we can't do anything about it," he added.
"There should be an order, and finality won't happen if we don't file an MR," Robles explained.
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Furthermore, Robles emphasized that the "PCSO has to show that we will defend it according to our rules."
Robles then explained that filing the MR was necessary for transparency, ensuring that the public will not misinterpret the situation.
"But someone called me and said, 'Why did you file an MR?' Because if we don't file an MR, they might say I'm his (Mendoza) co-owner, right?" he said.