MANILA, Philippines – The Manila Times clarified on Thursday that one of its editors did not resign but was asked to do so, and stood by its matrix piece published in the paper.
The matrix, accompanied by a story written by chair emeritus Dante Ang, linked some media organizations to the alleged plot to oust President Rodrigo Duterte. Malacañang confirmed the existence of the matrix.
READ: Palace confirms existence of oust Duterte plot
Times’ managing editor Felipe Salvosa II publicly spoke against the matrix, and eventually resigned from his post on Wednesday.
READ: Manila Times editor resigns after publication of oust Duterte plot
“He behaved unethically when he posted a statement on social media without first notifying or clarifying with our Chairman Emeritus, Dr. Dante A. Ang, the issues that he had with the story ‘Oust-Duterte plot bared,’ written by the owner himself,” the statement read.
The Times added that Salvosa did not object the story to Ang, nor did he suggest ways on how to rewrite or handle the piece.
The paper also stood by its matrix, saying it was “a story in itself” and the oust plot story accompanied was not a “PR piece.”
It also denied that the story had anything to do with Ang’s appointment as special envoy to the President. “He was simply acting on his journalistic instincts having been given an opportunity to write a legitimate story, that was later confirmed by the Palace,” the statement added.