OFW couple in Saudi recognized for returning P500,000

A Filipino couple working in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia were recognized for their honesty after they returned a bag containing cash equivalent to over P500,000.

Roberto and Farida De Guzman were given a certificate of appreciation by the Philippine Consulate General in Jeddah for returning the bag, which contained 40,000 Saudi Riyals, to a Saudi national.

"Half a million pesos 'yan, 40,0000 Saudi Riyals, ang napulot ng mag-asawa. Mahirap ang buhay, pero sa kabila noon ay nakita pa rin ang katapatan ng mag-asawa na talagang nakaka-inspire," said Consul General to Jeddah Edgar Badajos.

According to Roberto De Guzman, he and his wife were driving out of a parking lot in Jeddah when they noticed a clutch bag on the pavement.

He stopped the car, and Farida retrieved the bag. It was then that they saw the money inside.

"'Pag dating namin sa bahay ay hinalungkat nya (Farida) lahat ng ano, kinuha ko ang lahat ng identity card nya," said Roberto.

"Sa hirap ng buhay ngayon, naisip namin 'yun dahil kailangan namin ng pera. Kung hindi namin nakita ang identity card ng mama, hindi namin isosoli kasi hindi namin alam kung saan namin dadalhin iyon," he added.

Through the identity cards they found, the couple were able to immediately contact the bag's owner and returned the money.

"Parang hindi namin maintindihan, parang lumulutang ka sa ere, hindi ko maisip na ganito pala pag nakatulong ka sa, 'pag na isoli mo 'yung nakuha mo. Yung nerbisyos ko nawala na ng naibigay ko na," said the couple.

Meanwhile, the bag's owner was ecstatic over the return of his property.

He explained that he forgot that he placed the bag on top of his car, and it fell to the roadside as he drove off.

"Philippines is a great country and the people, they are great people," said the Saudi national. — Jon Viktor Cabuenas/DVM, GMA News