The controversial Mark Joseph Solis wants to keep the cash prize of the winning photo he admitted stolen from international photographer. The UP graduate student Solis issued an appeal that he be allowed to keep the $1,000 prize money citing poverty.
Photo Credit: GMA News TV
Mark Solis have already issued an apology to Gregory John Smith citing youthful lapse of judgment, the lure of travel abroad, and the prize money was the reason why he stole the photo of the social entrepreneur.
During an interview with GMA News TV, Mark Joseph Solis explained that he only wanted to help ease his family’s financial burdens. The UP student also stated that there are instances wherein he find it hard to pay for his own tuition at UP.
Solis and his mother Amelia, showed GMA News crew their modest rented home, which they also rented out to other people to augment their income. The interview with Mark Solis on GMA drew some intrigues among netizens.
According to netizen Maricris Valte, who used to work with Solis, the photo thief from UP was telling a lie during an interview and refutes Solis testimony through his Facebook account and during an interview with PhilStar.
Why do you want to keep it? You never earned it in the first place?! What a convoluted mind you have!