Finder of a movable property

Finder of a movable property "I found a wallet containing P10,000 when I went to our city hall to pay our real property tax. There was nothing inside the wallet aside from the money bills. Can I keep the wallet containing the cash money? Do I still need to return it even if I do not know the owner of the wallet? RizaDear Riza, The law that addresses your situation is Articles 719 and 720 of the Civil Code:“Article 719. Whoever finds a movable, which is not treasure, must return it to its previous possessor. If the latter is unknown, the finder shall immediately deposit it with the mayor of the city or municipality where the finding has taken place. “The finding shall be publicly announced by the mayor for two consecutive weeks in the way he deems best.“If the movable cannot be kept without deterioration, or without expenses which considerably diminish its value, it shall be sold at public auction eight days after the publication. “Six months from the publication having elapsed without the owner having appeared, the thing found, or its value, shall be awarded to the finder. The finder and the owner shall be obliged, as the case may be, to reimburse the expenses.“Article 720. If the owner should appear in time, he shall be obliged to pay, as a reward to the finder, one-tenth of the sum or of the price of the thing found.” (Emphases supplied)Applying the aforementioned law in your situation, you need to deposit the wallet including its contents with the office of the mayor of the place where you found it. If the owner will appear on time, he will be obliged to give you a reward equivalent to one-tenth of the sum of the money you found. The wallet containing the cash money may only be awarded to you after six months from the last date of publication announcing the finding of the said items and without the owner claiming the said wallet and cash money.We hope that we were able to answer your queries. This advice is based solely on the facts you have narrated and our appreciation of the same. Our opinion may vary when other facts are changed or elaborated. Editor’s note: Dear PAO is a daily column of the Public Attorney’s Office. Questions for Chief Acosta may be sent to dearpao@manilatimes.net" - https://www.affordablecebu.com/