Hi Niva,
I have never safeguarded any site sponsor. You can ask or do a search for yourself. We have had open complaints against site sponsors here and the threads are still untouched. I don't have a responsibility or obligation to PM/email/forward you information or links to those threads (we are busy enough as it is).
1. We have never deleted/edited/removed those threads.
2. The site sponsors in question, have always stepped in to clarify all doubts or resolve the situation/or worst case, filed a counter case against the thread starter.
3. If the user has posted about the said company in this company, I'm going to leave this thread be. If PML follows up on this thread, which they have already been duly notified, the member will receive a notification from them directly. If said company in this thread says that the thread starter has unjustly posted a malicious thread which is untrue, they already know the legal channels to take action against such a post. (And yes, we're all familiar with the process of filing a report if it has to come to it - screenshots, pdfs, letter of demands, even court order etc etc.).
Site sponsors have already been educated prior to them signing up about the double-edgeness of a community forum in our site sponsors guide, and our policies on 'protection' against them. One of the benefits we do provide for site sponsors is that we take an extra step in notifying them in case there are issues on the forum and it's very clear to them that we do not delete threads which are complaints about them. It is their responsibility to ensure they maintain their credibility online. (or in any other forum they are participating in).
The only exceptions when we delete a thread is when:
1. The thread starter requests to do so, and under which a review is carried out before the thread is removed.
2. When the thread does not serve the purpose of the forum and community.
3. If a thread has illegal content or content which flouts the rules of the forum.
Nonetheless from your feedback from this and the other earlier thread, the story is.. either way, we (the admins) will always called out, or get bashed whether it is a site sponsor or not. Haha.

Will you guys stop suspecting us that we run this like a godfather trilogy?