The Alleged Fake Php 100 Bill
Manila Commuter on Aug 03 2008 at 7:27 am | Filed under: Buses
A little drama unfolded near me in the bus I was riding on on 02 August 2008.
Quietly, the bus conductor returned the Php 100 bill that the lady gave him to pay for her fare from Ortigas Center to Cubao. Fuming, she rummaged through her bag, and stated, “Wala akong barya (I don’t have any coins).”
When the bus conductor still didn’t make a move to get the paper bill, she blasted, “Tinatanggap yan sa bangko (That’s accepted by the bank)!”
He replied, “Tinatanggap po yan sa bangko. Pero mapapagalitan lang ako. (Yes, it may be accepted by the bank, but, I’ll be reprimanded).”
From my vantage point, I was seated diagonally across behind her, roughly a distance of two and a half feet, and I could see what was concerning him. About one inch from the right side, the lines were wavy, either it was a torn bill that had been taped haphazardly, or it was fake.
The lady glared at him as if daring him to make her alight from the bus. I decided that if he does so, I’d offer to pay the Php 12 fare, under the assumption that the lady really had no coins with her and only had the alleged fake Php 100 bill.
However, there was no need to do so. The bus conductor prudently let her stay, and consequently, have a free ride, thus, avoiding a scene that would ultimately embarrass a bus passenger. It was also a clever move because, by not accepting the Php 100 bill, there was no evidence of his decision, which can cause an administrative result in his disfavor. And, even if a bus ticket inspector boarded, he can turn over the decision to him regarding the matter.