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Worklink corrects
our columnist
WE write in behalf of our client, Worklink Services Inc. (Worklink),
in connection with an article written by Mr. Reylito A.H. Elbo in
his column “Buzzwords,” and published in the Manila Times last
Dec. 17, 2007.
The article “Artificial
intelligence: Unilab doesn’t deserve Worklink” (an electronic
copy of which is herein attached as Annex “A”) made specific
disparaging, erroneous, malicious and libelous statements against
our client, referring to Worklink management as not having any
brains, or even artificial intelligence to act like a professional
outsourcing organization.
It even went too far as to warn
the reading public “don’t get the services of Worklink” or
“prepare right now by setting fire to its proposal.”
It behooves our client to note
that Mr. Elbo was able to write his scathing opinion after having
visited the Worklink office only once, on December 14, 2007. His
article never mentioned any instance which would justify his
statement as to why the public should not hire Worklink. Aside from
the writers’ view regarding the poor aesthetics of the offices of
Worklink, no mention at all was made as to whether Worklink is
inefficient or incapable of meeting the demands and services it
promised to its clients. Mr. Elbo is not even a client of Worklink
nor a representative of Unilab to even remotely justify its write-up
against Worklink.
It is highly unacceptable to our
client that Mr. Elbo made those irresponsible statements without
having any justifiable basis. Mr. Elbo decided to rant in his
column, wielding abusively the power and might of his pen, without
bothering to make any inquiry to support his accusations and give
his article some semblance of fairness.
To set the records straight, the
branch that Mr. Elbo visited was a temporary office originally
located on the third floor, Rose Building on Pioneer Street, Pasig
City. Said temporary office had the usual setup of office furniture
and equipment, including airconditioning units. It was only due to
an untoward incident on December 7, 2007 resulting in destruction of
property caused by unruly collectors and messengers, that Worklink
offices had to be moved immediately albeit temporarily and the
immediate solution was to transfer to the ground floor of the same
building so as not to disrupt operations until all the clients of
Worklink had been sufficiently informed.
Clearly being a makeshift office,
Worklink temporarily brought down its computers and provided
electric fans to service its clients until the office can transfer
to a new site by January 2008.
This was what Mr. Elbo saw. But
instead of making inquiries, Mr. Elbo filled his column with a
vicious, unresearched article that unfairly maligns and defames the
character, reputation, honor and business of our client.
In fact, it is evident that Mr.
Elbo never bothered to check the facts or inquire as to the possible
reasons why the conditions might be the way they were that
particular day. Had he done so even in passing, he could have easily
found out that the branch he visited was merely a temporary office.
Moreover, saying the office size as “a dingy office less than 15
square meters” is an extreme exaggeration, since the office is 75
square meters. More importantly, he would also discover an important
fact that Unilab did not contract Worklink, it was Citibank, a
long-time client of Worklink in the latter’s forwarding services,
who awarded the contract to Worklink, Unilab being a client of
Citibank.
The erroneous article infused
with vehemence of the attack by the writer against Worklink is
extremely alarming, considering the article’s publication caused
much damage upon the good name and business of our client. It also
raises questions upon the fairness and credibility of the writers
and members belonging to this noble profession.
In this regard, it is only
fitting for our client to demand for the publisher to undertake
steps to rectify this mistake and for The Manila Times to publish a
public apology to our client.
Amador Z. Tolentino Jr.
Tolentino Corvera Macasaet
& Reig
Attorneys and
Counsellors at Law
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