Palace: Critics likely to use Ressa conviction against Duterte

Administration critics will likely use Rappler CEO Maria Ressa’s conviction for cyber libel to portray President Rodrigo Duterte as an enemy of press freedom, Malacañang said Monday.

Ressa, Reynaldo Santos Jr., a former researcher for Rappler, were sentenced to six months to up to six years in prison by a Manila court over an article published in 2012 and allegedly "republished" in 2014 that cites an "intelligence report" linking businessman Wilfredo Keng to criminal activities.

They remain free after being granted post-conviction bail.

“Sa darating na araw po, asahan po natin na ang mga kalaban ng gobyerno ay gagamitin ang conviction ni Maria Ressa for libel para sabihin na kalaban daw po ng kalayaan ng malayang pananalita at pamamahayag ang Presidente,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a televised briefing.

Roque also said Duterte has never filed libel cases against anyone and that the President is a supporter of press freedom and freedom of expression.

“Ang paninindigan ng ating Pangulo ay ito po ay isang kaso na nalitis ng ating hukuman. Respetuhin natin ang desisyon ng hukuman,” he said.

The Palace official also shrugged off Ressa’s claim that her conviction was a "cautionary tale" as several quarters warned of the ruling’s supposed chilling effect on press freedom in the country.

“Wala pong basehan ‘yan. She’s barking [up] the wrong tree,” Roque said.

“Meron pa naman pong pagkakataon si Maria Ressa na umapela. Habang po siya ay umaapela, hindi naman po siya makukulong. We wish her the best.”

Earlier in the day, Ressa described her conviction of cyber libel as a "pivotal moment" for democracy and a free press.

"This is a pivotal moment for the Philippines, and a pivotal moment not just for our democracy but for the idea of what a free press means," the veteran journalist said  shortly after a judge in Manila handed down the verdict.

"I think we're redefining what the new world is gonna look like, what journalism is going to become. Are we going to lose freedom of the press, will it be death by a thousand cuts, or are we going to hold the line so that we protect the rights that are enshrined in the Constitution even if power attacks you directly," Ressa said.

Duterte has always been vocal about his dislike for Rappler’s critical reports on his policies, especially the war on drugs.

In February 2018, the President banned Rappler from covering all his activities, which the media outfit challenged before the Supreme Court.

Ressa and Rappler face other cases for alleged tax evasion and violation of the anti-dummy law. — RSJ, GMA News