Charges Over Cyber Libel To Be Filed Against Rappler, CEO Maria Ressa, Ex-Reporter
RAPPLER – Online news website Rappler, its chief operating officer (CEO) Maria Ressa, and an ex-reporter may face charges over cyber libel.
Aside from tax evasion charges against Maria Ressa, the CEO of Rappler may also face charges over cyber libel along with the online news website and a former reporter.
Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has recently indicted Rappler, CEO Maria Ressa, and ex-reporter Reynaldo Santos Jr. for cyber libel.
According to the report, the decision stemmed from the complaint of Wilfredo Keng, a businessman, regarding an article entitled, “CJ using SUVs of controversial businessman”.
The said article was reportedly published in 2012. It was also during that time when the impeachment trial of former DOJ Chief Renato Corona was happening.
According to Keng, claimed that he did not let any of his vehicles be borrowed by Corona.
Reportedly, Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Edwin Dayog has recently released a resolution regarding the complaint of the businessman.
According to Dayog, Rappler, CEO Maria Ressa, and ex-reporter Reynaldo Santos Jr. committed libel. It is under the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
In the resolution, it is stated that every defamatory claim without good purpose for doing so is “presumed to be malicious” under the Article 354 of the Revised Penal Code.
Also, it is stated that there is an exception if the act is under absolutely or qualifiedly privileged communication. However, according to the resolution, “the publication in question does not fall under” it.
The DOJ has reportedly cleared the directors of the online news website and as well as its officers including Nico Jose Nolledo, James Bitanga, Manuel Ayala, Felicia Atienza, Glenda Gloria, Jose Maria Hofileña, and Dan Alber de Padua.
Based on the report, the seven officials were impleaded in the complaint of Keng but the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) did not find any basis to indict them.
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