Iloilo City Taxi Driver Commended for Honesty
HONEST CAB DRIVER – Iloilo City commended Anthony Aguirre, a 52-year-old taxi driver, for his honesty and integrity after he returned a backpack containing PHP2.4 million in cash. Aguirre, a resident of Pavia, is employed by A&A Marie Taxi.
On January 17, 2025, Aguirre picked up a female business passenger from a hotel and drove her to the Lapuz roll-on, roll-off wharf for her trip to Palawan province. The following day, January 18, the taxi company received a call from the Iloilo City Police Office-Lapuz Police Station, informing them that the passenger had reported a missing backpack. After inspecting his taxi, Aguirre found the bag and immediately brought it to the authorities to return it to its rightful owner.
In recognition of his integrity, the Iloilo City government announced that Aguirre would be honored as an “Honorary Citizen of Iloilo City” and receive a cash reward of PHP20,000. Mayor Jerry Treñas praised Aguirre’s actions, highlighting that his honesty exemplifies the values of the Ilonggo people. He further stated, “Tony’s story is an inspiration.”
Meanwhile, Filipinos are known for their honesty due to cultural, religious, and societal influences. The values of bayanihan (community spirit) and kapwa (shared identity) encourage people to act truthfully for the benefit of the community. Religion, particularly Christianity, teaches the importance of integrity and kindness, further reinforcing these values. Family plays a central role, with parents instilling the importance of honesty in their children.
Honesty is seen as a reflection of one’s family’s honor and reputation, motivating individuals to act truthfully. Additionally, social pressure and the desire to be respected by others encourage Filipinos to maintain an honest image. Acts of honesty are celebrated, creating a positive cycle that encourages others to follow suit. While no one is perfect, these influences contribute to Filipinos being viewed as generally honest, with a strong sense of integrity and responsibility toward others.
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