A taxicab driver has brought overwhelming joy to a passenger and to the Province of Iloilo for upholding human dignity despite financial challenges. 

Anthony Barredo Aguirre, a resident of Barangay Amparo in Pavia, Iloilo returned cash worth P2.4 million left unattended by a passenger.

Aguirre said he has already gone home when the taxi operator called him up and inquired of a bag left in his taxi unit.

When he checked the vehicle, he saw a black bag.

He immediately brought the bag to the police station in Barrio Obrero, Lapuz, Iloilo City.

The passenger identified as Rudy Palayon, a businessman from Cuyo town in the Province of Palawan, rode the taxi from a hotel in Iloilo City. Palayon stayed in the hotel with his wife and grandchild.

Palayon, in a report, told the authorities at Police Station 8 that it was too late when he learned that the backpack which contained the huge sum was not with his wife.

He said that he heaved a sigh of relief upon knowing that Aguirre turned the money over to authorities at the police station.

Aguirre said it is a way of life for him to ensure that any items left in his taxi is returned properly to the owner.

He said he knows what it is like to lose valuable items, and would always place his feet in the shoes of one who lost important things. 

Despite his financial challenges, he said, covetousness cannot take root in his core. 

“Malaki ang pasasalamat ko kahit walang ibigay na pera sa akin kung gano’n kagrabe ang nakita ko. Sobra pa sa milyon ang aking naramdaman,” Aguirre said.

The chief of Police Station 8 lauds the honesty of the taxi driver in an era where several persons could not help but grab an opportunity.

“Sa panahon ngayon bihira ka na lang makakakita ng mga honest. Tayo nga na may trabaho, kinukulang tayo financially. So kumbaga, hindi siya nagdalawang-isip na itago o ano. Ang naisip nya, ibalik,” Captain Lester Oliveros, Police Station 8 chief, said.

Aguirre’s family takes pride in the character demonstrated by their patriarch who has lived up to his mantra of upholding honesty in all pursuits.

“Happy ako sa aking asawa. Nakatagpo siya ng pera tapos ibinalik nya kasi hindi naman dahil totoong nangangailangan rin kami, kundi dahil hindi sa amin yon,” said Ma. Elna Aguirre, the wife of the taxi driver.

Meanwhile, the Local Government Unit of Iloilo City praised the cabbie for doing what is right and just.

As a reward, the Iloilo City Government gave P20,000 to Aguirre.

Aguirre received the P20,000 from Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas.

He was also declared an “adopted son” of Iloilo City.