In a recent statement, PCSO General Manager Mel Robles addressed the controversial editing of photos of lottery winners, specifically the viral image of the lucky winner of ₱43 million in Lotto 6/42.
In an interview on the morning show “Unang Hirit,” Robles stated that they needed to edit the photos for “security reasons.”
“Worldwide, no one shows [their face] unless they want to. I even said if they find it amusing that we edited the skirt, in other countries, they even wear mascots,” he remarked.
When asked by Unang Hirit host Arnold Clavio, “Ah talagang ineedit n’yo?” Robles emphasized their objective to maintain the anonymity of the winners.
“Ine-edit po talaga ‘yon… ang objective po talaga is to keep the anonymity. Pero… we have to show the people na may totoong nanalo at the same time without violating naman ‘yong privacy niya…” explained Robles.
Despite the controversy, Robles highlighted the PCSO’s need to ensure the security of the winners, as well as the importance placed on their private lives. Ultimately, he asserted that the purpose of editing is to preserve the credibility of the lottery system, despite some people expressing doubts about the integrity of lottery results.