MALACAÑANG wants the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office to explain its decision to double the ticket price for the 6/49 segment of the lotto game, deputy spokesman Anthony Golez said yesterday.

The increase to P20 from P10 per bet for the "super lotto" took effect December 31.

Ticket prices for the regular 6/42 lotto game and the "mega lotto" or 6/45 game remain at P10 each.

Golez said the Palace had nothing to do with the increase and wants the PCSO to state its reason for the adjustment.

Cabinet secretary Ricardo Saludo said the increase was never discussed in any of the cabinet meetings in Malacañang.

PCSO earlier announced the increase through posters in lotto outlets. It said the increase would help double the pot for the 6/49 game – to P12 million to P18 million from P6 million to P8 million. The game is played Thursdays and Sundays.

The increase was initially set for implementation last August but President Arroyo stopped it following opposition from the public. – Jocelyn Montemayor