MANILA, Philippines ? Despite the hard times, a tricycle driver in Quiapo resisted the temptation to keep for himself more than P50,000 in cash left behind by a passenger.

For not keeping the money, Abraham Cariño, 44, was cited for honesty Friday by the Manila city government.

Cariño received P5,500 plus a job at City Hall from Mayor Alfredo Lim as reward for turning over an envelope containing documents and P55,350 in cash.

Rep. Naida Angpin also gave P5,000 to Cariño for his commendable act.

The mayor, who presided at the People?s Day forum Friday, hired Cariño on the spot, saying his act of honesty proved ?he was worth keeping at City Hall and will not steal money from it.?

?With your example, more and more people will realize that it pays to be honest,? said Lim.

Cariño said the envelope was left behind by a male passenger and a child who boarded his tricycle around 7 p.m. Thursday on Globo de Oro Street. However, he was unable to trace his passengers when he returned to where he dropped them off after he found the money.

Barangay chair Danny Aquino presented Cariño, a father of four, to Lim after the driver handed over the envelope to him.

The cash and documents are at the mayor?s office for safekeeping until these are claimed.