RP couple returns $700,000 deposited by mistake to account
Updated 05:03pm (Mla time) Oct 13, 2004
By Veronica Uy
INQ7.net

A FILIPINO couple based in New York returned 700,000 dollars that had been deposited by mistake to their savings account by a Manhattan-based European bank, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Wednesday.

The Philippine Consulate in New York presented Melchor and Rowena Bolivar with Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo's letter of commendation and certificate of recognition for their “honesty and moral example.”

The Bolivars discovered the error, a deposit glitch made by a European bank to the Bolivars' account, early October, said DFA spokesman Gilbert Asuque.

He said this act of honesty came close on the heels of a similar incident in New York two months ago when taxi driver Nestor Sulpico returned jewelry left in his vehicle by a
passenger.

Sulpico was similarly fêted by the Philippine Consulate in New York and by New York City officials.

“Instead of profiting from the error, the Bolivar spouses wasted no time in calling the attention of their Manhattan bank for the immediate return of the money to the European bank that made the deposit,” Asuque said.

“The European bank apparently did not know of the deposit
glitch until its attention was called by the Bolivars’ Manhattan depository bank," Asuque said.

Edward Pollack, the Bolivars’ employer for the past nine years, and another Filipino employee accompanied the couple to the consulate for the simple ceremonies.


Hmmm... $700,000 = 1 Ferrari Enzo + 1 Porsche Cayenne + 1 BMW M5 :-)