The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) admitted on Thursday, January 18, that the recent photo posted on its social media page showing the "lucky bettor" receiving the jackpot prize of P43.8 million was edited.

WATCH: Inamin ng Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office sa pagdinig ng Senado na edited ang litrato ng nag-claim ng kanyang jackpot prize sa lotto. | RH 28 @RaymundDadpaas #SamaSamaTayoPilipino pic.twitter.com/98HDShhN9e

— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) January 18, 2024

During a Senate hearing chaired by Senators Raffy Tulfo and Aquilino 'Koko' Pimentel, PCSO manager Melquiades 'Mel' Robles said the photo was altered to guarantee the winner's safety and security.

"I agree it was poor editing, but the objective is to conceal the clothing na makaka-identify sa kanya," Robles said.

"If there is something I apologize for, it is the poor editing, but I think it serves the purpose of concealing the identity," he added when asked by Tulfo why was the photo was edited.

The PCSO manager also said that they edited the winner's clothes to prevent people from recognizing her, noting that she was a real human.

In a social media post on Wednesday evening, January 17, PCSO announced that a housewife from San Jose del Monte won the Lotto 6/42 after correctly guessing the winning numbers, 18-34-01-11-28-04.

Many netizens claimed that the woman's clothes, face masks, shades, and hat was altered.