What’s inside the cyber libel cases versus Rappler CEO Maria Ressa of businessman Wilfredo Keng?
MARIA RESSA GUILTY – Here are some of the things you might want to know about cyber libel case of Maria Ressa from complainant Wilfredo Keng.
Rappler Chief Executive Officer Maria Ressa found guilty over cyber libel charges filed against her from complainant businessman Wilfredo Keng. The verdict was released on June 15, 2020, Monday, and the journalist was convicted of committing the crime along with former researcher-writer Rey Santos before the Manila Trial Court.
What’s inside the charges that convicted Ressa and a former writer? Accordingly, the complaint was done on October 2017. However, the complaint-affidavit has stated December 20, 2017. This is about an article of Santos published on May 2012.
What’s with the article? Reportedly, the write-up stated some details about Keng linked to illegal activities including human trafficking and drug smuggling. Also, he allegedly lent his SUV to late former chief justice Renato Corona as per report.
But this is not all about the car. The complaint is about his “shady past” written where it stated that he was being under surveillance accordingly for his involvement in illegal activities like “human trafficking and drug smuggling”. Moreover, he was reportedly involved in a “murder case” of Manila Councilor Chika Go in 2002 where he was accordingly identified as the “mastermind”. For which he was never jailed for.
A 2002 Philippine Star report stated that the wealthy businessman was also dragged in smuggling fake cigarettes and granting residence visas to Chinese nationals for a fee.
The complaint said in the affidavit as per Rappler, “The article was published by Rappler, without observing the ethical standards of journalism. It contained malicious imputations of crimes, with bad intentions, purposely to malign, dishonor and discredit my character and good reputation.”
READ ALSO:
- Businessman Wilfredo Keng Releases Official Statement on Maria Ressa’s Arrest
- NBI Found Probable Cause To File Charges vs Rappler
What can you say about this? Let us know!
For more news and updates, follow us on Twitter:@philnews_ph Facebook: @PhilNews and; YouTube channel Philnews Ph.