On Friday the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) told a lottery jackpot winner he would not be receiving his prize.
Antonio F. Mendoza of Calaca, Batangas, won ₱12,391,600 (USD$ 276,277) on Thursday, October 2, 2014, but before he could present his ticket Mendoza's granddaughter decided to smooth out the ticket with a hot iron. The ticket was badly charred and the winning numbers, along with the security features were lost.
PCSO officials have stated no payment can be made because it would violate the policy and rules that govern prize payments.
A PCSO official said: "Paying the jackpot to him will violate the agency’s rules. It is like opening Pandora's Box."
