ANTONIO “Tonet” José, eldest son of the late National Artist for Literature F. Sionil José, retracted his statement Tuesday that the Solidaridad Bookshop in Manila had been sold for less than P35 million.
In a Facebook post early Wednesday, July 2, José, who manages the shop’s affairs, clarified that reports of the shop being sold was “incorrect.”
“The recent news that Solidaridad Bookshop has been sold is incorrect,” José said.
“We apologize to the Varsitarian and other media that carried the story, and most especially to the public that has shown interest in our bookshop, for any confusion this has caused.”
On July 1, José confirmed that a deal had been struck with a mystery buyer for nearly P35 million, although the final signing of the deed had not yet taken place.
José, in a text message sent to the Varsitarian, said the confusion was due to “miscommunication among the siblings.”
He also clarified that the Solidaridad Bookshop, located at Padre Faura in Ermita, Manila, was still up for sale.
Readers and browsers can still visit the store from Tuesdays to Saturdays during the hours of 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
The Varsitarian first broke the news that the store was up for sale on June 28.
The Josés are selling the store and the lot on which it stands, as well as the inventory.
