MANILA, Philippines - This refers to Mr. Jarius Bondoc’s columns last April 19 and 23, 2010, in which he mentioned my name.
1. In his April 19, 2010 column, he stated that a certain employee of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is assigned in my office. We sent a Letter to the Editor on April 20, 2010 stating that there is no official or employee of the BIR assigned in my office.
2. In his April 23, 2010 column, Mr. Bondoc said that my office received four letters from a certain Eufemia Almeda. To clarify, we received on July 30, 2009 a letter dated July 21, 2009 from Ms. Almeda. We forwarded this letter to then Justice Secretary Agnes Devanadera and then Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez.
3. On September 3, 2009, Ms. Almeda sent a letter to me expressing gratitude because his son Edwin was able to talk personally to Makati Register of Deeds Dorylene SB. Yara. She said their differences were the result of miscommunication between her representatives and the office of the Makati register of deeds. She said Yara was personally extending assistance to her and her family.
4. On February 9, 2010, we received another letter from the Almeda family. I referred this letter to Undersecretary Hesiquio R. Mallillin. The latter followed up the matter with the Department of Justice, the Office of the Ombudsman, and the Land Registration Authority.
5. Under the law, we cannot intervene on the matter since it has already been referred to the proper authorities. All we can do is to monitor the case with the above government offices.