ILOILO City – If you find a bag with P2.4 million in cash, what would you do?
A taxi driver from Pavia, Iloilo has earned widespread admiration from netizens and local officials for his honesty in returning a bag containing P2.4 million in cash left by his passenger, a businesswoman bound for Bacolod City.
Anthony Aguirre, a resident of Barangay Amparo and a driver for A&A Marie Taxi, went viral on social media after his employer praised him on social media for his exemplary behavior.
“Anthony Aguirre, Ton your (sic) such a good person with a good heart. Your dedication and honesty to your work shows how good a person you are. It is a big amount of money, 2.4 million pesos nga nabilin sa taxi nga nakasulod sa bag pero you don’t (sic) have any intention to get that big amount of money. You return (sic) heartedly (sic) back to the owner, and to that dira mo napatunayan kung gaano ka kaayo nga tao. Keep it up Ton, the Lord will bless you more. Kung ano ka kaayo sa isig mo kapareho the Lord will give you back more than you deserved. Our family are (sic) very proud of you,” the social media post read.
In an interview with the media, Aguirre recounted the incident, which occurred on Saturday, January 18.
He had picked up the businesswoman from People’s Hotel in Iloilo City Proper and dropped her off at the wharf in Lapuz district.
The passenger, seated in the front seat, carried several bags and suitcases. Aguirre even assisted in unloading the luggage, but the woman accidentally left a black knapsack.
“I parked the taxi at the garage, locked it, and went home. It wasn’t until the next morning that I learned from a call from the Lapuz Police Station that a bag had been left behind,” Aguirre said in Hiligaynon.
“Gin buksan ko ang taxi kag una ko nga gin lantaw sa likod kay sa likod ang dala nga damo mo. Nakulbaan ako kay waay na unod sa likod. Ginlantaw ko naman sa front seat, didto gali ang bag sa kilid,” he further said.
Without hesitation, Aguirre brought the bag to the Lapuz Police Station, where the cash was counted and verified by its relieved owner.
This was the first time he had encountered such a situation in his five years as a taxi driver, said Aguirre.
Iloilo City’s Mayor Jerry Treñas praised Aguirre for his honesty.
“I commend Tony, a taxi driver from Pavia, Iloilo, for his honesty in returning a backpack containing P2.4 million in cash, which was left behind by his passenger, a businesswoman traveling to Bacolod. His actions reflect the integrity and compassion of the Ilonggos,” Treñas said.
As a gesture of appreciation, Treñas announced a P20,000 cash reward for Aguirre and plans to recognize him as an Honorary Citizen of Iloilo City.
“Tony’s story inspires us all and shows how honesty builds trust and pride. Thank you, Tony, for bringing honor to Iloilo. Let us continue to uphold these values every day,” said Treñas.
The Pavia local government unit also plans to pass a resolution commending Aguirre’s act of integrity./PN
