In resolving whether Mendoza had overcome the burden of proof through preponderance of evidence, it is necessary for this Court to look into the records of the case, review the documentary and testimonial evidence presented by the parties, and decide on which side the preponderance of evidence lies.

Determining whether a preponderance of evidence has established a matter is, by definition, a question of fact, as it entails an appreciation of the relative weight of the competing parties' evidence.

Given the established doctrine that this Court is not a trier of facts, it is generally not inclined to reexamine and reevaluate the evidence of the parties, whether testimonial or documentary.

We adopt, therefore, the findings of the Regional Trial Court and the Court of Appeals that Mendoza indeed performed the act of selecting the winning number combination for the Lotto 6/42 draw on 2 October 2014.

We adopt the findings of the CA in its Decision, which stated thus: "Notably, PCSO… no longer raised factual questions over the following details on record: No one besides Mendoza sought to claim the October 2, 2014 6/42 lotto jackpot prize; during the hearing before the HOR Committee on Games, Panganiban, the lotto terminal operator, testified that Mendoza is her regular customer; the NBI cleared Mendoza and his family members of deception after conducting polygraph examinations and checking that they have no derogatory records; and PCSO admitted before the HOR Committee on Games that Mendoza's ticket was a 'genuine and authentic PCSO-generated ticket.'

We also note that PCSO itself certified that per database records, the sole winning number combination for the October 2, 2014 6/42 lotto draw was one (1) of the three (3) bets placed on October 2, 2014, in a documented transaction at the lotto terminal/outlet operated by Panganiban in Brgy. Dacanlao, Calaca, Batangas. PCSO also certified that according to its computerized online database records, the transaction was the only three (3)-bet transaction performed at the lotto terminal on the said date.

"It bears stressing that the first two (2) numbers of each of the number combinations played, as well as the other transaction details, perfectly matched what remained visible on Mendoza's ticket and what he consistently narrated as his account of events.

"All told, he established by an unquestioned preponderance of evidence and in accordance with the Amended Rules, properly read together, his selection of the official winning six (6)-number combination for the October 2, 2014 6/42 Lotto draw, which therefore entitles him to the payment of the corresponding jackpot prize."   

 (To be continued)