Inaccurate

We are furnishing you a copy of the decision in the case of Philip Piccio vs. Rosanna V. Vergara et al Election Case No. 13 ( 16) to enable you to read the complete text of the decision because it is subject of a news article that appeared in your newspaper issue last February 9, 2016.

As friends, supporters and lawyers of Ria Vergara, we took it upon ourselves to write you and call your attention to the grossly inaccurate reporting of Mr. Manny Galvez that has caused an outpour of sentiment among the constituents of 3rd district, Nueva Ecija because of the confusion brought about by the news article. Mr. Manny Galvez should be made aware of the impact of his distorted reporting.

The heading “N. Ecija congressional bet disqualified over void registration” is totally untrue and malicious. Ria Vergara is NOT disqualified as a candidate for 3rd congressional district of Nueva Ecija. There is NO mention in the decision that Ria Vergara is disqualified. To be “EXCLUDED AS VOTER” and “DISQUALIFIED AS CANDIDATE” is definitely different from one another. The conduct of Mr. Galvez in scribbling words without getting the facts right is irresponsible journalism that should be censured. The effect of the unfounded and attention grabbing byline (which is not even mentioned in the decision) speaks of the partiality of Mr. Manny Galvez. As a journalist, he should not act on behalf of special interests and he should be made to declare to your office his political affiliation in order for your publishing company to determine whether his news reporting on the coming elections might constitute conflict of interest.

We and for all the supporters of Ria Vergara who are hurting from the damaging, false and grossly inaccurate news reporting of Mr. Manny Galvez, are seeking rectification from your publishing company on this matter.

As a final note, may we respectfully request that all future articles from Mr. Manny Galvez especially news about the forthcoming elections in the province of Nueva Ecija be given a thorough and rigorous review in line with the guiding principle of your highly esteemed newspaper “that the truth shall prevail” which inspires us to write this letter.

– Attorneys CESAR VILLAR, MJ JACKIE GARCIA, AVELINO CATAHAN JR., TEODORO MENDOZA, SHERRLYNNE MADRID, AMELIA TIU, JENNIFER PATACSIL, EDRALIN MATEO, EFREN MALLARE, ERWIN GLENN VILLARIN, CARLITO INTON, KATHRYN MENELEA JOSON, MICHAEL ANGELO REYES, IGNACIO DOMINGO, FELICIANO BUENAVENTURA, CHRISTIAN RENZ CRUZ, DEOGRACIAS RIVERA