MANILA – They have the tape to prove it.
The New York Times (NYT) stood pat on the accuracy and fairness of its story quoting a cousin of Senator Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III that the Cojuangcos had no intention of giving up Hacienda Luisita for distribution to the farmers under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program.
Carlos Conde, the NYT correspondent in the country, said that the paper was ready to release the tape recording of the interview with Fernando Cojuangco, Aquino's cousin that happened late last month at the sugar plantation.
"We stand by our story. The interview with Mr. Fernando Cojuangco was recorded. If he wants us to release the tape, we will be more than happy to do so," said Conde, who added that he had been authorized to speak on the matter.
Conde said he and NYT Southeast Asia bureau chief Norimitsu Onishi interviewed Cojuangco for an hour and a half at the plantation on February 23.
"When I read the [Philippine Daily Inquirer] story [Tuesday] morning, I reviewed the tape and it was there. [The quotes were] not taken out of context," he said.
"There were portions that were off the record but not those quotes," Conde added.
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