Wrong, fake Veridiano?

This refers to Santiago R. Alcantara’s article titled “Sick man needs financial aid.”

(Inquirer, 9/7/11) It appeared that I was asking from the public for some financial help for my 12-times-a-month dialysis sessions, each of which costs P2,500.

I do not know Alcantara. I have neither met him nor talked to him. The article was written and printed in the Inquirer without my knowledge and consent.

There is no need for me to ask financial assistance from the public. The Iglesia ni Cristo and the New Era General Hospital have been shouldering my hospital bills and medical expenses.

—DANIEL S. VERIDIANO,

1250 Tambunting St.,

Sta. Cruz, Manila

I received a letter dated June 15, 2011, together with a copy of a medical abstract, a certification from the New Era General Hospital, a social case study and a photo. The letter, addressed to me and signed by a certain Daniel S. Veridiano, sought medical assistance from the Inquirer. I received another letter dated June 17, signed purportedly by the same person saying he was replacing the bank account number he had earlier submitted.

It is true that Veridiano and I have never met. But who was that man I talked to on July 15, July 18, Aug. 1, Aug. 5, Aug. 12, Aug. 15 and Aug. 29 persistently following up his request for medical assistance? He claimed he was Daniel Veridiano. I felt his pain, gave him hope, asked for his patience (for his story was taking too long to see print) and wished him to get better and live a good life again. I had only good intentions for him.

—SANTIAGO R. ALCANTARA