Letter to the editor
Not baseless and misleading
We are counsel for Conchita Tan.
We are provided a copy of your September 12-14, 2008 issue which had a banner head reading "Case Dismissed: Ombudsman junks abuse raps filed by Chinese bizwoman vs CIDG chief" written by Florence Hibionada. According to the article, the cases filed by our client against P/Superintendent Renato Gumban had been dismissed by the Ombudsman and that the order for his preventive suspension had already been lifted.
At the time of publication of the article up to this date, we have yet to receive a copy of the Decision dismissing the cases against Gumban and the Order lifting his suspension. We inquired about the status of the cases from the Office of the Ombudsman and were informed that those cases are still pending review and investigation and no decision has yet been issued thereon.
In the interest of fair reporting, we ask that you rectify your story as it is baseless and misleading.
—Geraldine S. Meneses, Fortun Narvasa & Salazar Law Offices
Our reporter Florence Hibionada has obtained a copy of the Order of the Office of the Ombudsman (Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for the Military and other Law Enforcement Offices) dated 2 September 2008 which became the basis of the report. Thus, it is wrong for you to say that the story is "baseless and misleading." Maybe you should widen your search and check again with the Office of the Ombudsman the subject decision. Let it also be cleared that The News Today is not in the business of publishing "baseless" or fabricated stories.
—Editor-in-chief