Power Chess, Lee retract on-line slurs vs Mariano

MANILA, Philippines - Power Chess Asia (PCA) Pte Ltd and manager Lee Fon Man recently withdrew the “false and untrue” statements they made against Grandmaster Nelson Mariano II on their website two years ago, vindicating the former Asian Junior champion from “baseless derogatory remarks” that besmirched his reputation.

They also agreed to pay substantial damages to Mariano.

The Singapore District Court cleared Mariano by awarding summary judgment against PCA and Lee (NRIC No: S1293612E, also known as Robert Lee or Samuel Lee), and held them jointly liable for making defamatory statements against the Filipino player and coach of Chess Kidz, also based in Singapore.

The court also ordered the defendants to pay damages and costs to Mariano although the PCA and Lee have asked for more time to pay the damages.

“Internet defamation is difficult to fight. But the Singapore court has dealt with my complaint fairly and efficiently. This serves as a lesson for those who use the internet to intimidate, belittle and humiliate others with impunity,” said Mariano.

He added that he was very much relieved that the case is over.

“I am very glad that the case is over. For two years, I constantly worried about the damage done to my reputation and the uncertainty of the legal proceedings. Finally, I was vindicated from these unfounded allegations and can now focus on teaching at Chess Kidz,” Mariano said.

The retraction posted on the PCA website admitted that the two allegations the school had made about Mariano were false and untrue. It also expressed regret for the distress and embarrassment it had caused him.

The Singapore court also ordered Power Chess and Lee to refrain from repeating the defamatory words or any other words of similar effect in the future.

Mariano, also a joint third placer in the World Juniors in 1994, retired from competitive chess after a runner-up finish in the Asian Zonal 3.2 in Vietnam in 2007 and worked with PCA for one year.