Bugged by Aussie blogger
From Manuel Felix G. Abejo Jr.(via e-mail)

MANILA, Philippines - I read several articles in PDI on the Australian blogger Brian Gorrell. I became curious [and] logged on. I was shocked! Can all his allegations be true?

I wondered: Is ruining people?s reputation fair revenge for allegedly being swindled of $70,000? I am saddened by the readers? comments; they obviously accept the allegations as true.

Ethics books say that one ought not to assume as truth, without sufficient foundation, the moral fault of another person. One who does is guilty of rash judgment. It appears that so many rash judgments have been committed here. How easily people believe negative things about others!

Even if what Brian Gorrell says is true, he is not blameless. He should have known better, put everything down in writing, even if they were best of friends, as he alleged. He shouldn?t have trusted too much. No one is perfect. And what is $70,000 to a guy who writes and takes picture well? He can earn it back. He should just leave to the Almighty God the retribution and justice he desires.

Don?t get me wrong. I do not know the people who Brian Gorrell is ?leaving under the sun to dry.? I do not belong to the moneyed or propertied social class. I just came to know about this through PDI, and I am not grateful. It is not worth the ink and newsprint. Let the others do it, not PDI.

Thank you for your time. I hope PDI will think twice next time before assisting character assassination.

(Thank you for your concern. The blog was something of a phenomenon, with close to 2 million hits in its first month. We couldn?t ignore that, in the same way that we couldn?t ignore your letter. Please note that we never took sides?Ed.)