A councilman in Mangaldan, Pangasinan has earned praise after returning a wallet containing more than P10,000 in cash, bank cards, and identification cards to its owner.

Victor Velasquez, a councilman of Barangay Salay, found the wallet near a restaurant in Barangay Poblacion while on his way to a hospital for a medical checkup.

Velasquez said he first tried to locate the owner using the contents of the wallet but found no contact information.

"Hanapin ko sana 'yung ibang ano doon kasi may mga ATM, cash, ID na nandoon pero walang contact," he said.

The wallet contained several ATM cards and more than P10,000 in cash.

Velasquez then sought help from local officials to identify and contact the owner. He said returning the wallet was the only right thing to do.

"Hindi naman sa akin 'yun kaya hindi ko puwedeng angkinin 'yun. Saka baka may pinaglaanan doon 'yung may-ari kaya isinauli ko," Velasquez said.

Later that afternoon, the wallet was returned to its owner, a resident of San Jacinto, Pangasinan.

According to Velasquez, the owner reached out to him on social media to express gratitude for his honesty.

The village official said honesty has always been a value he learned growing up.

"Bata pa kami, turo na sa amin 'yan na pag hindi sa amin, hindi namin puwedeng kunin. Ganoon lang po 'yun'," he said.