Owner recovers part of dumped dollars

CEBU - The owner of the $60,000 that was accidentally dumped at the Inayawan Sanitary Landfill has finally recovered part of the missing amount after he was able to present proof of ownership before the National Bureau of Investigation.

Lawyer Bernard dela Cruz turned over the $20,500 to businessman Emiliano Tanpin Jr. and his partner Rosanna Poraque yesterday noon.

The amount was earlier returned by a scavenger and his aunt to the NBI after Tanpin sought the bureau’s help to recover the money.

Tanpin and Poraque executed a joint affidavit of ownership and presented several documents such as business permit, certificate of registration from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas as foreign exchange dealer and money changer, and business registration document from the Department of Trade and Industry and the Cebu City government.

Dela Cruz said they have decided to return the amount even if the bulk of the missing dollars is yet to be recovered.

He said it would be unfair to the owners if the NBI would continue keeping the money when their ownership is not contested.

The NBI has only recovered $20,500 of the $60,000 accidentally thrown at the dumpsite last week. The $17,000 was returned by Julie Compisto, a scavenger, while the $3,500 was returned by his aunt, Victoria Candido.

While Tanpin may be celebrating after he recovered part of the amount, those who reportedly helped him in the recovery are feeling betrayed after the businessman reportedly failed to fulfill his promise to give five percent of the recovered amount as reward.

The source said Tanpin reportedly did not anymore give his promised cash reward to the witness. Tanpin, in an earlier interview, however said he would make the Christmas of the people in the landfill memorable.

He promised to distribute rice during Christmas to the scavengers. – Fred P. Languido/LPM   (THE FREEMAN)