Honest Cabbie

ILOILO CITY – Honesty is the best policy.

And for a taxi driver here, this trait paid off after he returned P2.4 million in cash left by a passenger in his vehicle. Anthony Barredo Aguirre, 52, of Barangay Amparo, Pavia town, Iloilo province first earned praises from netizens.

“A real and honest Ilonggo. May your tribe increase. My family salutes you,” said Ilonggo netizen Wilfredo.

“God will bless you more for your honesty,” added Ilonggo netizen Joseph.

He then earned monetary reward for his integrity.

Aguirre received P30,000 from the Office of Iloilo second district Rep. Michael “Mike” Gorriceta as well as from Barangay Amparo of Pavia town.

Mayor Jerry Treñas here declared him as an  adopted son of Iloilo City even though he hails from the neighboring town of Pavia and rewarded him P20,000.

“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 Ilonggos,” the mayor said. 

“As a token of appreciation, I am awarding him P20,000 and recognizing 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.”

The government agency in-charge of regulating public transportation also commended Aguirre, a father of two – a graduating social work student at Central Philippine University here and a high school student.

“Mr. Aguirre’s exemplary act of honesty is proof that there are still good and honorable Filipinos who prioritize integrity over personal gain,” Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Chairperson Atty. Teofilo Guadiz III said. “He is a model for everyone in the transport sector,” Guadiz added.

The management of the taxi fleet hailed Aguirre for his values.

“It is a big amount of money, but you choose to return it.  Your dedication and honesty to your work shows how good of a person you are,” said the A&A Marie Taxi management in a statement.

Aguirre was driving a A&A Marie Taxi last Jan. 18 when he picked up the passenger who left a bag in the cab containing the cash.

The lady passenger turned out to be a businesswoman who was returning to Bacolod City and she accidentally left one of the bags when she arrived at the seaport.

Aguirre only knew the following day that the lady passenger left the bag and he had to search until he found it at the front seat. 

The taxi driver immediately turned it over to the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO-Lapuz Police Station), where he met the owner and returned the bag personally.

Aguirre thanked Gorriceta and Trenas for the recognition. Other taxi drivers in the city have also been recognized on social media for returning items left behind by their passengers in their vehicles.