The missing letter

Surprisingly, Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario admitted that one of the letters sent by Sultan Jamalul Kiram III to Malacañang for President Aquino was misplaced or lost for some time, although it was reported that the letter was recovered later (Inquirer, 3/7/13).

As a trial lawyer, I find it very strange that a very important document, supposedly prepared by a prominent person like the Sultan of Sulu and addressed to President Aquino, would be missing or lost in the official custody of the government.

If the news report about the letter is accurate and true, and although a few days after the report it was recovered somehow (as admitted by no less than a Cabinet member), who can we hold liable for whatever damage the government would have suffered from such incompetence and negligence?

To my mind, since the people who live in Sabah are mostly Filipinos, who are diehard believers of the leadership of Sultan Kiram, the President is expected to act in their favor.

Unfortunately, many Inquirer readers are still at a loss regarding the alleged loss of the letter in question.

—ARTURO M. TOPACIO JR.

Topacio Law Office

Corner Lopez Jaena and

Dra. Salamanca Streets,

San Roque, Cavite City