‘Assuming there’s rule of law’: Rappler may seek SC’s help on revocation of license

News website Rappler on Monday said it might bring the Securities and Exchange Commission's decision to revoke its registration before the Supreme Court.

"We know how to deal with it. There's supposed to be a legal process. Assuming that there is rule of law in this country, we will go through the process. We will go to the proper courts, the proper legal fora to present our case, to file the necessary motions," acting managing editor Chay Hofileña said in a press conference.

"If warranted, we can go to the Supreme Court because this is clearly a Constitutional case. This is media, this is a press freedom case. The decision was just so quick," she added.

This was echoed by Rappler CEO Maria Ressa, who said that they will "push the government to respect and maintain the rule of law."

"In terms of going to the Supreme Court, it depends again... the wheels of justice moves slowly in our country. We wanted it to move faster. But, apparently, in special interest cases they move really fast. We're prepared. Bring it. We will continue to fight it," Ressa said.

Business as usual

Hofileña clarified that the SEC's recent decision will have no immediate effect on Rappler's operations.

"Actually no effect on operations. We said that this is going to be business as usual. No changes. The marching orders for reporters is still to continue pursuing and writing stories and reporting as aggressively as they want to do," Hofileña said.

She added that their reporters can still cover and write stories about the government.

"The order of the SEC is not immediately executory. We'll be filing a motion for reconsideration, reporters can still cover government. The accreditation should be there until the license is revoked finally... with finality," Hofileña said.

She also vowed that the media company will continue to pursue stories.

"We will continue to hold power, we will continue to tell the truth no matter what," Hofileña said.

The SEC ordered the revocation of Rappler's certificate of registration, saying it violated the Foreign Equity Restriction of the Philippine Constitution, which states that "the ownership and management of mass media shall be limited to citizens of the Philippines, or to corporations, cooperatives or associations, wholly-owned and managed by such citizens."

In an earlier statement, Rappler said it would contest the decision and exhaust all legal processes to do so. — BM, GMA News