Filipino taxi driver Nestor Sulpico shows his honesty recognition plaque given by the Department of Tourism in Manila.
MANILA (AFP) - A New York taxi driver who returned 70,000 dollars' worth of jewellery left by a passenger in his cab won a citation and a modest cash award from Philippines President Gloria Arroyo.
"Thank you for making us proud," Arroyo told Philippines-born Nestor Sulpico, 46 as she handed him a presidential citation and a cash reward of 100,000 pesos (1,795 dollars), a presidential palace statement said.
He became an instant celebrity both here and in the United States when he returned assorted black pearls left in a backpack in his cab by an unidentified passenger in July.
The presidential citation read: "You have demonstrated to the world the Filipino virtue of honesty, for doing the right and honorable thing. You have made your family, country proud."
Sulpico, a native of the central island of Panay, had migrated to the United States to earn more money as a taxi driver in New York.
The government paid for his brief visit here after learning of his honest deed in the press.
an honest person in new york 
ok..oh well 
theres always hope that the rest will turn into nice people at some point...you never know 
now your making me sad 
Stumble It!
Tweet This
Bookmark on Delicious
Share on Facebook
Share on MySpace