In a letter to Isaac G. Belmonte, the Philippine Star’s editor in chief, the ambassador said: “I am truly elated at being welcomed in advance to Manila by Max Soliven who in the past wrote many fictionalized items about our policies and activities in Washington, DC allegedly at the behest of a third party with an interest in the Ambassadorial position. ”

The ambassador’s letter, which was also released to the Filipino American media, specifically cited the July 11 column of Soliven which he said indicated that Soliven’s “illusory approach” has not changed, adding “he remains, at least for me, immensely entertaining. ”

The ambassador continued:

“Worthy of note, however, is Soliven’s upgrading of his strategic arsenal: Instead of using his ‘tirador’ (slingshot) and being ridiculously off the mark, the alleged terminator must now resort to the use of WMD, intending to create mass destruction to build on his rep. Neat, but I am not running for cover, so to my glee, Soliven can fire away.

“Without the benefit of a crystal ball - I foresee therefore many exciting and amusing exchanges with him in the near future - that is, if my responses are not censored or embargoed by him. Nevertheless I have great trust that the Star will uphold its proclaimed philosophy of enabling truth to prevail.

“From his manufacturing facility, Soliven contends that I am making uncomplimentary remarks about our President because of my being recalled. (Yes, I had been recalled, and by jove, Soliven finally got half of one thing right!). Notwithstanding my circumstance, a hairline adjustment might clear his vision to see that scores of Filipinos in America can attest to my still continuing to do what is possible in rallying support for Her Excellency.

“To further set the record straight, there was no plan to sell the San Francisco property. Nor was there a plan to sell the 5th Avenue property. What we have been working for is a just resolution on the 5th Avenue property tax issue with the New York City government.

“Approved by the President and Secretary Blas Ople, the actual plan was to explore options for the old and deteriorating Washington Embassy which has been idle since 1993.

“Finally, since Soliven is knowledgeable on all matters, even implying that I had circumvented the divestment rule, it just may be he forgot that there is no requirement for divestment on politically appointed envoys.

“I would be grateful if my letter can be published in its entirety.”

After the embassy released the response of Mr. Del Rosario, Filipino Americans in the area defended the outgoing ambassador from Soliven’s column.

Tessie Alarcon and some officers of the Philippine American Foundation for Charities said Soliven was maligning the reputation of someone whom we love and respect.

Alarcon said: “I feel strongly that we have to answer Soliven because he is maligning the reputation of someone we care, we love and respect, and knowing that at least one of his accusations is a blatant lie. Now, that the Ambassador has given his response, we know that all accusations of Soliven is ”way off".

“We all have heard his(the ambassador’s) comments about his leaving. Never did he criticized La Gloria-on the contrary, he urged us to ‘move on,’ support the government, support La Presidente-that Gloria has all the best intentions for the country to prosper. He never did say any unfavorable remarks about her. He just stated facts about his dismissal and to all of us, he was fired unceremoniously, undignifiedly, unjustly and unfairly. He never wavered in his loyalty and support of her.

“He even ‘sacrificed financially’ for his country and mainly out of her loyalty to her. She used him when needed and suddenly discarding when he was no longer needed.

“We even wonder how he could be so ‘magnanimous’ in all his remarks, after all she has done to him.

“Ambassador del Rosario was our Ambassador for 5 years-we have seen his dedication, commitment and loyalty to the Presidente. He never wavered in his support of her, even at the height of her unpopularity’ (and being accused of cheating), he was there defending her.

“’By The Way’”, I wonder whether Max Soliven, a columnist, publisher took the effort of ‘researching and investigating’ the truth first before throwing ‘darts and arrows,’, spreading untruth, falsehoods. If we do not know the Ambassador well enough and heard what he actually said, people tend to believe every word of Soliven, thinking that he, holding such ‘power’ to ‘inform’, his word is the truth.