On June 24, 2007, 2:03:13 PM Pacific Daylight Time, Lito Gutierrez, the fired Philippine-News editor-in-chief, sent this e-mail to this online publication:

QUOTE. I don't know if this is worth responding to but I do recall the gutter fight waged by Mr. Reyes and the Esclamados over some alleged fiscal malfeasance. What I know is that Mr. Reyes lost the libel suit filed against him by Ludy Ongkeko and that according to her, she has yet to receive a penny of the $25,000 judgment against him.

What I also know is that early on I decided to keep Philippine News from being dragged into the controversy. In fact the first item on my agenda on joining Philippine News was to separate its identity from Naffaa and the Esclamados, not because Naffaa is a bad organization or that the Esclamados are bad people. On the contrary, despite my philosophical difference with Alex, I have much respect for him for what he has done to our community.

I just wanted the paper cleared of any perception that we are for this or that political grouping. We wanted to be the newspaper for all the community, not just certain sectors of it.

That much I told Alex, who was not at all pleased.

I don't know Mr. Reyes. But from his venomous exchange with the Esclamados, I don't think I'd like to exchange pleasantries with him . As for his accusations about the lack of fairness and objectivity in Philippine News, I would rather leave that judgment to our readers.

Maybe he could get in touch with Philippine News management to take over as editor in chief. Maybe he can do a better job. Yes, in fact, I strongly recommend that Philippine News take him in as its new editor in chief. I really would love that to happen. UNQUOTE.

Here is the reply of Mr. Reyes:

QUOTE. Dear Mr. Gutierrez:

Thank you for your correspondence.

Re: Libel Case. You showed your subjectivity by alleging "what you, Mr. Gutierrez, know was that I lost the case." You do not seem to know the duty of a journalist, much more that of an editor. How could you print the press release of Mrs. Ongkeko about a civil case when you did not bother to inquire from the other party his side? FYI, I won five out of the seven issues and I did it without any lawyer, as I defended myself in the Superior Court. And how could you make the Philippine News the "newspaper for ALL the community" when you never bothered to hear the side of the opponents of your founder and columnists? You call that objectivity? You were not editing a newspaper but a propaganda mouthpiece.

I took up journalism in college while I have heard that you, the newspaper founder and your two columnists never took up the course in any educational institution in the United States or in the Philippines.

RE: Editorship of the Philippine News. Thank you for your recommendation but I do not need a job. I am busy running after crooks in the NaFFAA, which is more-than a full-time job (but which doesn't pay, so that Mrs. Ongkeko cannot garnish anything as I do it for a song). Besides, it will be expensive to hire a learned and experienced journalist, especially one who has the courage to expose the crooks and scalawags in the community, and the Philippine News cannot afford my services (even if Mrs. Ongkeko could garnish 25% of the salary). Besides, the IRS has reportedly garnished -- according to a Filipino-American lawyer who used to advertise in the Philippine News -- the bank accounts and receivables of your former employer.

I will give professional journalist, Romy P. Marquez, of San Diego, CA, an exclusive of my side in this developing story. I will, therefore, provide Mr. Marquez with a CC of your e-mail to me and my retort. This brouhaha between you and the Philippines News and my butting in (on behalf of the true practice of journalism) may make a tremendous impact in the Filipino-American Fourth Estate. At least for posterity's sake, you should join me in this dialogue. From hereon, the www.mabuhayradio.com will publish only the reports of Mr. Marquez insofar as this instant controversy is concerned. Because what I write about it will be interpreted by my critics and even the reading public as "self-serving." So, it may be best to let a third party do the writing.

Ok, ngarud?

Mabuhay, thank you for your time and good luck in your new job. UNQUOTE.

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Woman Writer Virtually Calls the Philippine News' former Editor a Liar

QUOTE. It is also my understanding that LBC has not been an active advertiser for the past two to four years, a far cry from being "a major advertiser" as claimed by the terminated editor of Philippine News (PN). What pressure from advertiser for Francis Espiritu of PN to supposedly "kill the story" on the Aranetas are they talking about?

On the other hand, my community-building related articles for publication in the PN such as the visit of former President Fidel V. Ramos to Southern CA, FilAm Chamber of Commerce of Orange County, birthday celebration of Linda Nietes, Independence Day in Carson and photo gallery of events in Southern CA, etc., were allegedly killed -- in spite of green light from management. Supposedly, and, sadly I may add, it was because of my association with colleagues like Bobby Reyes, Romy Marquez, Ernie Delfin or other media practitioners, etc., for their vocal opinions about issues or individuals. Thus, for whatever unjustifiable reasons the editorial (department) had, I can also call the turn of events "poetic justice."

Let us put things in the right perspective. Freedom of speech is a blessing to us all. We must use this to disseminate the truth and never forget our responsibility for fairness especially when decent, well-meaning, and hardworking people such as Francis Espiritu, Maricar Espiritu and others are involved.

Thank you.

Malou Mariano UNQUOTE.

(As posted in the AKDA@yahoogroups.com)