There are 2 honest men in House: They’re janitors

Crispin Jasareno (left) and Michael Mark Quimora, the two janitors stationed at the Batasang Pambansa complex are being commended for returning P19,500 in cash they found at a congressman’s seat in the plenary hall last week. PHOTO BY DJ YAP/INQUIRER

WHO SAYS there are no honest men in the House of Representatives?

There are at least two confirmed ones—only they’re not makers of laws but sweepers of floors.

Two janitors stationed at the Batasang Pambansa complex in Quezon City are being commended for returning P19,500 in cash they found at a congressman’s seat at the plenary hall last week.

Crispin Jasareno, 36, was cleaning up at the hall when he spotted a bundle of P500 bills on the chair of Cebu Rep. Jonas Cortes on Wednesday.

He called his coworker, Michael Mark Quimora, 29, because he “didn’t want to touch the money” himself.

The two returned the cash to Cortes’ staff in his office. “They gave us P500 for snacks,” Jasareno said in an interview.

“The money this time was too big, which is why it never crossed my mind to pocket it. I was sure the owner would be looking for it,” Jasareno said.

Quimora said: “That would be too hard on our conscience.”

The janitors never got to meet the congressman, but his staff told them that their boss never even realized that the money was gone. The money must have slipped from his pant pockets, an aide said.

That same day, Cortes wrote a letter to House Secretary General Cesar Pareja to commend Jasareno and Quimora for their honesty.

Gratitude

“A simple ‘thank you’ would not be enough to recognize the honesty shown by our employees here at the House of Representatives,” Cortes said.

“Please consider honoring these employees as they are the epitome of integrity and honesty in the service, whose action today matters most to the other employees,” he added.

“I believe it is the acknowledgment of the act, which is more important than the letter or any award we may decide to give to our honest employees,” he added.

The father of three children, Jasareno, has been working at the House for 14 years. He said this was not his first time to find valuables at the House.

“I have probably returned three cell phones since I started working here,” he said, identifying then Muntinlupa City Rep. Rodolfo Biazon as one of the owners.

Quimora said he previously found and returned a cell phone sometime ago.

The two janitors work under contract at Philcare Manpower.