CTA grants Maria Ressa’s plea to travel to Oslo

The Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) has granted Rappler CEO Maria Ressa’s request to travel to Oslo, Norway from December 8 to 13 to accept the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize.

The CTA First Division’s action on Monday came days after the Court of Appeals (CA) issued a similar travel clearance for Ressa.

According to the CTA, the prosecution, represented by the Department of Justice and the Bureau of Internal Revenue, did not file any comment or opposition to Ressa’s urgent travel motion.

The tax court also reminded Ressa to follow the travel guidelines and restrictions issued by the Philippine government for international arrivals.

“If accused fails to return as undertaken, trial will proceed as scheduled in her absence,” the CTA said in a resolution.

Ressa is facing tax evasion charges at the CTA, while her appeal against a conviction in the cyber libel case is pending before the CA. A Pasig court, meanwhile, is handling another tax-related case.

On December 3, the CA Special Seventh Division said Ressa was able to justify that her planned trip to Oslo was necessary and urgent.

It said the invitation sent by the Norwegian Nobel Institute clearly indicated that the ceremony would be conducted physically and that Ressa was expected to receive the award in person.

The CA also rejected the argument of the Office of the Solicitor General that Ressa was a flight risk. — VBL, GMA News