Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Oswald Magno's Response to Tess Cusipag's 4/3rd Email to PPCO



WITHOUT PREJUDICE

April 6, 2013


Mr. Hermie Garcia
President, Philippine Press Club of Ontario

Re           :               Tess Cusipag’s Email dated April 3, 2013 addressed to PPCO Members
Dear Mr. Garcia,
I read today the subject email which was cc’d to me by Teresita Cusipag, who I shall refer to as Cusipag in this letter for the sake of brevity.
On its face, the email purports to be Cusipag’s comments on the petition that was lodged with the PPCO by certain members of the Filipino community on December 17, 2012 http://letter.fairjournalism.info.
Upon closer examination, however, Cusipag’s comments are more about me than about the petition itself.
Instead of explaining Balita’s actions in publishing the repetitive stories targeting members of the community mentioned in the petition, Cusipag picks on my motives and chooses to impugn my personal character and integrity, in her continuing efforts to discredit the petition, while all throughout omitting information that are relevant to the complaint which she believes could be damaging both to herself and Romeo Marquez.
For one thing, Cusipag’s narrative is not comprehensive and detailed enough for any person to make an intelligent assessment on whether Cusipag was justified in publishing inflammatory, ill-researched and baseless accusatory reports in her paper. For another, her email is fraught with inaccuracies and unsubstantiated inferences.
Allow me therefore to file a point-by-point response to Cusipag’s email, in order to clarify matters.    
1.    Cusipag states “For starters, even before Tobias Enverga was appointed Senator, Balita has already been demanding from the couple to come clean with the finances of PIDC during his administration.”
We have to ask ourselves why Cusipag is making this assertion.  Is she saying this to avoid criticism in regard to an email that she sent to Federal Minister J. Kenney on September 7, 2012, the very same day Tobias Enverga’s Senate appointment was announced, questioning Tobias Enverga’s Senate appointment, and linking him to so-called “outstanding money issues” in the community?

As far as I know, her email to Kenney (reproduced below), which suggests a motive other than Cusipag’s so-called quest for transparency, has never been published and as such has largely remained hidden from public view.

Subject: RE: Prime Minister Harper appoints first Filipino-Canadian to the Senate of Canada
Date: Fri, 7 Sep 2012 17:51:16 +0000
Mr.Kenney, Mr.Enverga and his wife still have outstanding money issues that have to be cleared in the Filipino community and so far have just been ignoring it.
This appointment came as a shock to us knowing that an appointee for that high position should have an impeccable character and reputation.
Anybody can produce a impressive resume like he did, but did you investigate around? Just inquiring how you missed all the videos and articles that have been circulating.
Tess Cusipag
Editor and publisher
Balita Media Inc,
    
From my review of Balita articles between the period March 1, 2012 to September 7, 2012 I found no evidence of any demand by Balita on Tobias Enverga to “come clean” with respect to any irregularities during his term with PIDC.  I also found no evidence of a single specific allegation of any irregularity leveled by Balita against him during this period.
    
All of Balita’s articles raising financial reporting issues related to the PIDC beauty pageants during this period were targeted solely at his wife, Rosemer.

Unless I missed something, the evidence available to me indicate that Balita’s derogatory postings on Sen. Enverga began only after his Senate appointment was announced and most of them dealt with subject matter that did not have so much to do with clearing so-called “accountability” issues that Cusipag claims she is championing.
2.    Cusipag states, “This matter is being handled by our investigative journalist Romy Marquez.  Soon it came to our attention that a video critical of Romy was circulated to UPAA by a member, Oswald Magno.”
Unless clarified, people reading this statement can be misled into thinking that I was at odds with Marquez, created the video and circulated it in order to spite him.  Clarifications are in order.
First of all, the “video” is actually a news report, with a link to a video, and it was prepared and published by a mainstream news organization, San Diego ABC Channel 10 News http://www.10news.com/news/5547656/detail.html.
On March 16/12, Cusipag, using Ruben’s membership access, posted Marquez’s article entitled Was There Wrong-Doing in PIDC’s BeautyPageants?”, an article critical of Rosemer Enverga woven from the PIDC news conference, in the UPAA e-group. 
The posting generated controversy.  Two issues surfaced. One issue was whether it was appropriate for a non-UPAA member to use the private e-group to circulate contentious postings that did not concern UPAA. The other issue was whether such posting was fair to the other person who did not have the same access to the e-group. 
Except perhaps Mogi Mogado, no one in the e-group, including me, knew who Marquez was and people were curious. He was not introduced by Cusipag as someone writing for Balita.   
I am a subscriber to the USP4GG e-group and when Marquez’s name came up at Dr. Tom Virey’s party on March 17, 2012 I recalled coming across an email earlier (reproduced below) from San Francisco lawyer Rodel Rodis warning of Marquez:
From: Rodel Rodis <Rodel50@aol.com>
Date: 9 March, 2012 7:43:53 PM EST
Subject: [USP4GG] The Truth about Romeo V. Marquez
The "Romeo" in this news report is Romeo "Romy" Marquez, a fake "journalist" who was deported from the US for bigamy and marriage fraud. He has surfaced in Toronto, Canada and is spewing the same "Breaking News" garbage on the Internet that he did for years in San Diego. Please warn people about him.
The rest of the story is captured in the emails reproduced below:
Date: Sat, 17 Mar 2012 22:35:55 -0400
Subject: [upaatoronto] Fwd: [USP4GG] The Truth about Romeo V. Marquez
You may be interested in this information about a certain Romy Marquez.
Sent from my iPhone


From: Rodel Rodis <Rodel50@aol.com>
Date: 9 March, 2012 7:43:53 PM EST
Subject: [USP4GG] The Truth about Romeo V. Marquez
The "Romeo" in this news report is Romeo "Romy" Marquez, a fake "journalist" who was deported from the US for bigamy and marriage fraud. He has surfaced in Toronto, Canada and is spewing the same "Breaking News" garbage on the Internet that he did for years in San Diego. Please warn people about him.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Sun, 18 Mar 2012 02:53:02 +0000
Subject: RE: [upaatoronto] Fwd: [USP4GG] The Truth about Romeo V. Marquez

We challenge you to present a proof of conviction
You were the one that got convicted because of his expose
so be quiet and do not spread lies

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From: upaatoronto@yahoogroups.com On Behalf Of Teresita Cusipag
Sent: Sunday, March 18, 2012 11:06 AM
To: upaatoronto@yahoogroups.com; oswaldmagno@gmail.com
Subject: FW: [upaatoronto] Fwd: [USP4GG] The Truth about Romeo V. Marquez
Oz, I apologize to you deeply, with the trigger of emotion, I just pushed the wrong button
The email is meant for Rodil Rodis and I already sent him the separate email
I am really really sorry for this. WE know each other and I never meant to hurt you.
I have the responsibility to protect my writers and if they are being attacked, I feel it reflects on our paper as well
So this Rodis had to be put in his proper place right away.
Again, I am sorry. I hope you understand
Tess

Note that Cusipag found no reason to take offense at my passing on the news report at that time, because I was passing off a legitimate news report, not mere gossip, and I had no prior run-ins with Marquez.
As the above exchange shows, she was deeply apologetic after she realized she had mistakenly sent an email to me that was intended for Rodel Rodis. 
Note further that there were no complaints whatsoever from Marquez either, that is, until December 17 when the petition was lodged.
Cusipag and Marquez have since used the above conveniently as their justification for falsely accusing me of starting a “cyber war” against them. Cusipag herself does not admit that it was she who instigated Marquez’s attacks on me shortly after she found out that I had written, using Marquez’s words, a “praise release” on Sen. Enverga to PM Harper, which prompted Cusipag and Marquez to despise me as a supporter of Enverga, calling me a “chihuahua” or lapdog of Enverga (discussed in # 3 immediately below).
3.   Cusipag states, “When Oswald sent a congratulatory letter to Prime Minister Harper for his appointment of Enverga, signing as President of PAMANA, Romy inquired about the organization, after people had told us it was long defunct.”
I challenge the truthfulness of this statement because from where I stand it inaccurately paints as seemingly innocent a loaded and malevolent inquiry from Marquez.  Besides, Cusipag’s account does not tell the whole story, as she intentionally omits information that could put both her and Marquez in a bad light.
Here’s the background story.  A few days after Enverga’s Senate appointment was announced on September 7, 2012 I came across an email from Cusipag (reproduced in # 5 below) to Federal Minister J. Kenney questioning Enverga’s appointment and implicating the latter with alleged “outstanding money issues”.  I also became aware of rumors that a planned rally would be held in front of Parliament to protest Enverga’s appointment.  As the reversal of the appointment would be embarrassing not just to the Envergas but also to the Filipino community, I wrote Harper thanking him and also assuring him that he had made a correct decision.  I hardly knew Tobias Enverga at that time, but to me it did not matter.  It also did not matter that Ruben and I have been friends for a long time. I was simply happy, as were many others, that a Filipino was among those chosen.
Almost three months later, on November 22 to be exact, Marquez ran into my letter to Harper which was published in Philippine Daily Inquirer under a banner that read “Fil-Canadians now have a voice In Parliament”.  Immediately, Marquez sent an email to Cusipag and others entitled “Chihuahua ni Caligula” and calling me a “bata” of Enverga (red highlighting and bolding was by Marquez) to which Cusipag responded: “Siya pala ang Chihuahua.  Ha haha. Unbelievable.  See emails below.
Subject: chihuahua ni Caligula
Date: Thu, 22 Nov 2012 16:08:24 -0500
Eto pala ang bata ni Enverga:

Fil-Canadians now have a voice in Parliament

9:21 pm | Friday, September 14th, 2012
I, and the organization I represent, the Pamana Cultural Association, wish to thank Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper for appointing Tobias C. Enverga Jr. to the Senate of Canada. Pamana is a volunteer organization that helps promote the works of young artists in all fields of endeavor and fine Filipino culture and tradition.
Enverga’s appointment is a historic milestone for the Filipino-Canadian community and a great opportunity for Filipino-Canadians to add their voice to nation-building efforts in their adopted homeland.
Prime Minister Harper has not only given Filipino-Canadians a voice in Parliament Hill, he has brought honor to all Filipino-Canadians. We commend him for this gesture.
(Redacted for brevity)
Cusipag disseminated Marquez’s offensive email on the same day.
From: Teresita Cusipag <balita@sympatico.ca>
To: Fanny Calucag <fannymcal@hotmail.com>; Joe Rivera <riverayrivera@gmail.com>; "raysabatin@yahoo.ca" <raysabatin@yahoo.ca>; Estrellita Aguinaldo <agui_star@yahoo.ca>; Tacji6 <tconsunji@rogers.com>; Tony Sicat <antonio_sicat@yahoo.com>; Tony & Daisy Ortiz <mercadortiz@hotmail.com>; Geny Toribio <gtoribio@gmail.com>; Leonora Taculad <sweetnorababe_1@yahoo.ca>; Fe S. Dela Cruz <fedelacruz@yahoo.com>; Francis Rementilla <francis@bodybliss.ca>; "brodsandsis@yahoogroups.com" <brodsandsis@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, November 22, 2012 6:13:09 PM
Subject: FW: chihuahua ni caligula
Siya pala ang chihuahua. ha haha. Unbelievable,
Aware of Marquez’s notoriety in attacking perceived supporters of the Envergas, I emailed a few friends (whose names I will not reveal at this time) the following day, Nov 23/12, expressing my concern that I will now become a target of attack:
“Thanks.  I will likely become a target of Romy Marquez and Tess Cusipag now, although Ruben whom I've known for years is an old friend. We'll see. For Marquez to say that I am a "bata" of Enverga completely misses the point. I wrote PM Harper to thank him on behalf of PAMANA (I would have liked to thank him on behalf of the ENTIRE Filipino community but of course I could not) for his gesture in empowering the Filipino community who can now add their voice to the deliberations in Parliament. This was an important milestone (no matter who the appointee was). Note that I wrote the letter in mid-September when everybody else was trying to shoot down the appointment of a fellow Filipino-Canadian to the Senate, views that I thought were short-sighted.  At the same time I wanted to re-assure the PM that he has made the right choice, knowing that the Envergas have enemies who would like nothing better than for the PM to reverse Jun Enverga's appointment  (although quite remote, a reversal by Harper would have brought severe humiliation to the Filipino community, not just to the Envergas).”
Sure enough, in the afternoon of Nov 23/12, Marquez sent me an ominous email inquiring about me and PAMANA, asking questions like, does PAMANA do fund-raising, etc.
From: PhilVoiceNews <philvoicenews@aol.com>
Date: Fri, Nov 23, 2012 at 12:46 PM
Subject: info about pamana

Hi Mr. Magno,
I just learn that there is an organization called Pamana Cultural Association, which is apparently in Toronto, and of which you claim to be president.
I've been trying to get some information about the organization in connection with a story I'm writing, thus this short email request.
How big is your group in terms of membership? When was it established? by whom? for what?
Who are your co-officers? Is this a non-profit charity organization? Do you conduct fund-raisings? for what projects?
Thanks so much.  As I have deadlines for the different news outlets that I write for, I anticipate your prompt reply.

Best regards,
Romy Marquez
Having been identified as a supporter of Enverga and derided as a “chihuahua”, can anyone honestly believe Cusipag’s suggestion that Marquez was interested in nothing more than PAMANA?
4.      Cusipag states, “That’s when Oswald gave him a tongue lashing instead.”
Tongue lashing?  Please judge for yourself the truth and rationality of Cusipag’s assertion.  Here’s what I told Marquez in reply:
From: Os Magno <oswaldmagno@gmail.com>
To: PhilVoiceNews <philvoicenews@aol.com>
Sent: Fri, Nov 23, 2012 4:25 pm
Subject: Re: info about pamana
Hi, just about to have supper.  Meanwhile, can you clearly describe what your article is all about?  Are you contacting/featuring organizations similar to ours that are committed to promoting Filipino heritage (music and the arts), culture and tradition?  What are your talking points? What do you intend to convey with your article (i.e. message) and what do you intend to accomplish (i.e. objectives)? When and where will your article be published?  This information will allow me to provide you with relevant material for your article. Will get back to you after I hear from you.
Nothing could have been more polite.

5.       Cusipag states, “Then he turned to me with a threatening and abusive email.”
I challenge the accuracy of this statement.  Here’s my story.
I forwarded Marquez’s email inquiring about me and PAMANA in a private email to Cusipag on Nov 24/12 (private, as in I did not copy anybody). 
I considered Cusipag a friend as Ruben and I are old buddies going back to the UP Club days.  I thought I knew her well enough that I could talk straight and to the point.
Subject: Fwd: info about pamana
Date: Sat, 24 Nov 2012 23:53:32 -0500
I have a sneaking suspicion your star reporter is up to something. He better not cross me. Remember too, I have the goods on you - your letter to Kenney, etc. I will expose you if you cross me.  I have over 10000 contacts in cyberspace. I am watching your next moves and I have already readied my blogsite if you both choose to wage war with me.  You will lose.
Sent from my iPhone
Cusipag replied privately (or so I thought but later learned she had bcc’d Ray Sabatin who from out of the blue subsequently interjected in the conversation) on Nov 25/12:
From: Teresita Cusipag [mailto:balita@sympatico.ca]
Sent: Sunday, November 25, 2012 12:11 AM
Subject: RE: info about pamana
Dont threaten me Oswald, I still have that respect left for you but dont cross my path as well. There is nothing wrong with my letter to Kenny and that was copied to all our contacts and were all very happy I did it. and If I ever wrote to the Prime Minister, there is nothing wrong with it as well. You have 10000 contacts, we have 378,000 in Balita plus Philvoice news. Let's go on with it. Like I said, dont ever threaten me again.. Let's fight in court if you can afford it.  You think I am one of your UPAA people who will bow with you. You are wrong. Who the hell do you think you are?
I replied saying I was not threatening her but was putting her on notice:
Subject: Re: info about pamana
Date: Sun, 25 Nov 2012 10:12:51 -0500
Tess, as a lawyer I don't threaten.  My training forces me to put people on notice of what I intend to do if an event takes place.  My wife and I are not friends with the Envergas.  We have never been invited to their parties. I do express my take on events affecting the community from time to time. // Oswald
Sent from my iPhone
Did I “threaten” Cusipag?  Black’s Law Dictionary defines “threat” as:
“A declaration of intention or determination to inflict punishment, loss or pain on another, or to injure another or his property by the commission of an unlawful act.” (underscoring supplied)
There was nothing unlawful in my email. 
In essence, it was simply a warning that I would respond, through my blogsite, to an untoward article written on me and my response would include an expose of her letter to Federal Minister J. Kenney (again reproduced below for convenience).
Subject: RE: Prime Minister Harper appoints first Filipino-Canadian to the Senate of Canada
Date: Fri, 7 Sep 2012 17:51:16 +0000
Mr.Kenney, Mr.Enverga and his wife still have outstanding money issues that have to be cleared in the Filipino community and so far have just been ignoring it.
This appointment came as a shock to us knowing that an appointee for that high position should have an impeccable character and reputation.
Anybody can produce a impressive resume like he did, but did you investigate around? Just inquiring how you missed all the videos and articles that have been circulating.
Tess Cusipag
Editor and publisher
Balita Media Inc,
A discussion of Cusipag’s motives in sending the above letter to Kenney is outside the scope of this letter. I’ve included it here only because it is relevant to an understanding of the so-called threat against her. But as I have said at the outset, absent any proof of demands made by Balita on Tobias Enverga, prior to his Senate appointment, to clear specific allegations of financial improprieties during his term with PIDC, this email from Cusipag to Kenney may indicate a motive other than to promote accountability and transparency regarding fundraising events in the community.
6.       Cusipag states, “Of course, I responded in the same tone.  Romy stood up to defend himself and me, in the same manner and tone that Oswald dealt with us. Now he resorts to the petition.”
I challenge this statement not only because it is dishonest but also because it trivializes the petition with the insinuation that it arose from a personal squabble between me, Cusipag and Marquez and that I am using it to hit back at Balita after being written on by Marquez.  Cusipag’s insinuation is false and not supported by the facts.
The record shows that the very first article Marquez wrote on me – Threat, Intimidation by the Arrogant Gasbag, was disseminated on December 7, 2012 while the petition resulted from a meeting on December 4, 2012 of twelve individuals who were genuinely concerned with the negative impact on the community of scathing and persistent articles targeting certain individuals in the community and who, after deliberation, decided as a group to lodge a formal complaint with the PPCO.
The above timeline evidences that, days before Balita, through Marquez, launched a vitriolic attack against me personally with the above-mentioned article, the petition was already a fait accompli. Was there a reason for me to get back at Balita, through a petition or otherwise, before I was written on?  None.
Therefore, any suggestion that the petition is illegitimate, being the result of a personal squabble between me and Cusipag, cannot be given serious consideration by PCCO.
It is irresponsible in my view for Cusipag and others in her media organization to insist on painting me as the initiator, instigator, mastermind or leader of the petition – none of which is true – and obstinately fail or refuse to recognize the petition for what it is – a broad-based petition that has been endorsed by over 60 members of the Filipino community.
Their refusal to acknowledge the petition as a community-based petition, rather than a personal petition, has led to repeated and persistent injurious personal attacks against me including being called or depicted a liar by Marquez.
Indeed, there have also been suggestions from the Balita organization that the petitioners are friends or supporters of the Enverga couple or alumni colleagues of some of the petitioners who are expected to lend their support no matter what.  Such suggestions insult the integrity and character of each one of those who, at great risk to themselves, took courage to endorse the petition.
Before I leave this topic, allow me to draw your membership’s attention to an on-line petition that has so far gained over 300 signatories. http://petition.fairjournalism.info. This is a further manifestation of the community’s growing awareness of the issues, its interest in the promotion of excellence in journalism,  and its concern for fair, ethical and responsible reporting, which should not be ignored by PPCO.
7.     Cusipag states, “The Petition that was originally received by PPCO under Ricky Caluen was dishonest, deceitful and fraudulent; two individuals have since renounced the inclusion of their names, without their knowledge and consent.”
Cusipag suggests that the legitimacy of the petition is vitiated by the inclusion of two individuals who have since renounced their support for the petition, and for this reason, PPCO should not entertain the petition.
While the exact circumstances under which the two individuals decided to renounce their support for the petition have yet to be determined, experience tells us that it is normal for persons to disclaim support or even knowledge of petitions to which they initially lend their names, after subsequently coming to a full realization of the potential adverse consequences to themselves and/or after being threatened.
In the case of the petition now before PPCO’s governing body, common sense serves as an important guide.  Reason will tell you that the petition stands even if there is only one signatory.
Even if it is granted that two individuals have indeed renounced support for the petition, such renunciation does not render the petition invalid.  It is such an insignificant number compared to the remainder of signatories who have not renounced their support for the petition.  Even laws passed by Parliament are not rendered invalid by the mere fact that a portion of such laws are later ruled unconstitutional.
To adjudge the petition invalid in such a situation would be to disenfranchise the overwhelming majority who signed the petition.  Reasonable persons would not consider that a fair result.
8.    Cusipag states, Oswald has this dirty reputation with his petitions.  In a previous petition submitted to UPAA against another member he had included dead people as signatories.  How truthful can this person be? (underscoring supplied)
I do not know where Cusipag and Marquez get their stories from but it sounds like they are getting them from an unreliable source.  The falsity of the quoted statement is another evidence of Balita’s sloppy, biased and untruthful investigative reporting.
If Cusipag and Marquez were only interested in pursuing the truth and acted with due diligence instead of waging a vindictive campaign of vilification against me, based on their suspicions that I have initiated or masterminded the present petition, they would have known first, that the earlier petition on its face was broadly based like the present petition.  It was not the work of one individual alone;  second, that there were eight sponsors (as opposed to ordinary supporters) to that petition four of whom were past or former Presidents of the association; third, that there was only one deceased signatory (not several as falsely suggested), the inclusion of whose name arose from a misunderstanding  between an exuberant supporter and her sorority President who provided the list of supposed supporters to the petition;  fourth, as already implied I was not directly or personally responsible for including the name of the deceased signatory;  and fifth, the name of the deceased “signatory” was removed after the unintentional anomaly was discovered by the erring person.
Cusipag’s impugning my character and integrity in this instance and in other writings based on false and inaccurate information is defamatory.
9.     Cusipag states, “We are trying to make the Enverga couple accountable for their deeds in the community, specially now that he has been appointed to the Senate.”
I simply do not understand this statement.  What deeds?  Who is making the accusations? Do the accusations have any basis or are they mere suspicions? Is there even prima facie evidence that laws have been violated, sufficient to lay accusations on someone’s doorstep?  And how does one go about making people accountable?  By putting them down?  I am no defender of the Envergas but Cusipag’s statement seems indefensible in light of:
o   Cusipag’s letter to Kenney mentioned above,
o   Cusipag’s not so public efforts to widen coverage of Balita’s baseless accusations on Sen. Enverga with the mainstream media such as the Globe and Mail, and
o   Other actions that I am not at liberty to reveal at this time but otherwise are known to Cusipag.
As a member of the Filipino community, I would like to know how the above actions advance Cusipag’s avowed campaign for accountability in fundraising activities. It bears asking: are these efforts not indicative of objectives other than getting to the bottom of alleged financial irregularities?  I ask this question because I fail to see the connection between these efforts and Cusipag’s so-called crusade for accountability on financial matters in the community. Cusipag should come out into the open, be transparent and explain her actions to the community.  Only then will we be better informed and able to judge the propriety and reasonableness of those actions.
10.   Cusipag states, “The petition wants us to stop, we will not.”
This statement needs to be challenged because it is vague and wide open to interpretation.  If Cusipag is saying that the petition is aimed at preventing Balita from investigating, writing and publishing wrong-doing in the community, I can categorically state that there is no basis for such a statement.
The petition is not about stopping Balita, or any media organization for that matter, from writing future stories about any subject under the sun, including alleged irregularities by Cusipag’s rival in the beauty pageant business, Rosemer Enverga.
The petition is about a series of writings that have already been published and that a section of the community has found to be profoundly disturbing and not consistent with ethical and socially responsible journalism, and about examining those writings to determine if the ethicalguidelines for journalists set out in PPCO’s constitution and other generally accepted ethical standards have been violated or if the writings taken together constitute media harassment.
11.   Cusipag states, “Why give a dubious Oswald Magno that importance?  Why even entertain his petition?  It will only add more to his bloated ego.  The only reason he is doing it is he was hurt that he found his match on Romy Marquez.” Etc.
Cusipag’s ad nauseum arguments referring to my person do not contribute to a calm and reasoned disposition of the issues raised in the petition and I request you and the rest of the governing body to focus instead on the merits of the petition.  In considering the petition, you give importance not to me, since it is not my personal petition, but to all members of the community who value fair, balanced, ethical and socially responsible journalism.
To summarize, the petition did not the result from a personal dispute between me and Cusipag/Marquez.  It proceeded from a collective belief that news articles and commentaries that demean and ridicule members of the community, on the basis of dubious accusations that are not supported by evidence, discredit the community itself, destroy its cohesiveness, set back community building efforts and do not serve its best interests.       

Winston Churchill once observed that truth is incontrovertible.  No matter how one bends it, maligns it, or denies it, it will always be there staring back at you. 

I hope this submission clarifies matters and will serve as a guide in your deliberations.

I thank the PPCO members for their patience in dealing with this difficult, but important, issue which means a lot to our community.

Sincerely,


Oswald Magno

cc.  PPCO Members