MISLEADING: Laoag vegetable vendor returns bag with P2.7M cash

A Facebook page named “Pinoy Health Tips Video” reported on August 29 that a vendor from Laoag named “Alice Laguitan” returned a bag containing P2.7M after the owner left it in a restaurant.

CLAIM:

The post claimed that the vendor from Laoag, while eating in a restaurant, noticed that a woman who was rushing outside left her bag in the seat next to her. When she inspected the bag and found out that it contained cash, she made an effort to return it to the original owner.

RATING: MISLEADING

CONCLUSION:

While the story presented in the post is mostly true, the honest vendor who returned the money is a vegetable supplier from La Trinidad, Benguet. Additionally, the story happened in August 2019, 7 years ago.

THE FACTS:

• The vegetable supplier from La Trinidad was indeed in a restaurant when the lady next to her seemed to be in a rush and left the bag containing P2.7M in cash. The former then followed them to the bus station, where the bag was returned to the owner. The money was allegedly for a relative in St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City who was for transferring abroad.
• The La Trinidad Municipal Council filed a resolution commending the mother of two. She was accompanied by her husband when she received a certificate of recognition from the mayor of La Trinidad at the time, Mayor Romeo Salda.

THE BOTTOMLINE:

While most of the story is true, details from the post were not consistent with the original story.