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[edit] Marital status

From the revert war that has been taking place since his death, there clearly exists some controversy over Gov. Buenaventura’s martital status during the later years of his life. I did not know the man personally, and so can only assess this issue based on what is found in the public record and any formal evidence put forth.

The information provided by the numerous anonymous postings from various Massachusetts-originating IP addresses is neither of these.

Based on the public record, I can say with certainty that it was a well-publicized fact that Buenaventura was in recent years in a close, intimate relationship with the artist Marivic Rufino and that many in the financial and journalistic circles of the Philippines believed them to be married (see for example: [1], [2], [3], [4]).

I also happen to know that the Philippines is one of just two countries remaining in the world that does not allow divorce (FYI the other is Malta).

I do not know, nor do I care, whether Buenaventura’s marriage to his estranged wife was legally intact at the time of his relationship with Rufino. I do know that a Wikipedia article is not the appropriate forum in which to wage this battle.

In the interest of both respect for the dignity of the dead and adherence to Wikipedia’s standards (e.g. WP:NOR, WP:VERIFY, WP:NPOV, WP:NOT , etc.), I have therefore deleted all reference to Buenaventura’s relationship and alleged marriage to Rufino, the extensive but misplaced commentary on Earl's life (feel free to start another article, if her career is encyclopedia-worthy), and the lengthy attempt to justify a de facto marriage in recent years.

If the interested party or parties feel the need to make the legal status of Buenaventura’s private relationships an issue for the history books, then it is your right. Just be sure to do it with published or certified evidence - of both its truth and its historical significance. Also, if you plan to continue to make edits, please show courtesy to the rest of the people who have worked on this article by setting up a Wiki account for yourself/selves. -- wormcast 01:16, 31 December 2006 (UTC)