NBI summons Rappler boss over 2012 case

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has subpoenaed Rappler’s chief executive officer Maria Ressa, a reporter of the news website and a businessman in connection with a cybercrime complaint filed by a Filipino-Chinese businessman in 2012.

The subpoena, signed by NBI deputy director Vicente de Guzman III, requires Ressa, former Rappler reporter Reynaldo Santos Jr. and Benjamin Bitanga to appear before the Office of the Cybercrime Division on Monday. 

Bitanga owns Dolphin Fire, reportedly a major shareholder in Rappler Holdings Corp. Bitanga, however, is not a member of the Rappler board of directors.

“You are hereby commanded to appear in the Office of the Cybercrime Division, 3rd Floor Room 310, NBI, Main Building, Taft Avenue, Ermita, Manila, Philippines, at 10 a.m. on the 22nd day of January, 2018 then and there to give your side in a certain investigation to be held at that time and place, conducted by the undersigned,” read the subpoena, which was issued Thursday night.

The summons stemmed from the complaint filed by Century Peak president Wilfredo Keng.

In its May 2012 article, Rappler named Keng as the owner of the black Chevrolet Suburban vehicle allegedly used by former chief justice Renato Corona. 

At the time, one of Keng’s companies had a pending case in a lower court, the news website reported. 

Keng, who refuted the story, charged the respondents with violation of Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Law.

In a statement, Rappler said this new development belies the Duterte administration’s claim that it is not harassing them. 

“There’s no better evidence that the attacks against Rappler are political in nature, from the SEC’s (Securities and Exchange Commission) decision to the investigation of the DOJ (Department of Justice) and the NBI to this new subpoena,” it said.

Rappler said the harassment continues but they “will hold the line” and continue their operations.

“We call on everyone who supports press freedom to join the NUJP (National Union of Journalists in the Philippines) Black Friday protest on Jan. 19. Wear black wherever you are or join the rally at the Boy Scout Circle,” Rappler added.  

Sen. Francis Pangilinan said yesterday the recent closure order of the SEC against Rappler is another sign of impunity under the Duterte administration.

Pangilinan, president of the Liberal Party, said the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos had resorted to legalism with the issuance of thousands of presidential decrees, executive orders and proclamations to justify his oppressive, corrupt and tyrannical rule.

“The SEC ruling is unacceptable legalism to justify its closure of Rappler,” Pangilinan said.

“Marcos the lawyer resorted to legalism to justify his trampling of our people’s civil and political rights, so did the lawyer-commissioners of the SEC,” he said.

The senator said the investigation against Rappler by the SEC and the DOJ should be seen in the context of the other actions of the administration that he described as “relentless attacks on our institutions and stifling of dissent.”

These events include the arrest and detention of Sen. Leila de Lima on “outrageous testimonies of convicted criminals; the House of Representatives’ move to slash the budget of the Commission on Human Rights to P1,000; the threat of impeachment of Ombudsman Conchita Morales; the impeachment proceedings against Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno; and the killing of over 14,000 of our impoverished citizens in a drug war while billions of pesos of shabu was allowed to be smuggled into the country by officials in cahoots with drug syndicates,” he said.

CHR: Defend press freedom

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) reiterated the role of the government to defend and protect press freedom in line with its commitment as a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

“Press freedom can only be attained if media organizations remain free from any political or economic intervention. Media should be allowed to operate in a competitive environment and should be free to exercise liberties crucial in performance of their social mandate,” the commission said in a statement.

“They have been an effective watchdog against abuses and are instrumental in demanding accountability and transparency from public officials and institutions that are found to jeopardize the best interest of the people. In this context, protecting press freedom means protecting the interest of the people,” it added.

The CHR said it hopes that the SEC decision on Rappler is neither an attempt to curtail press freedom nor be followed by subsequent infringements on the right to freedom of expression.

“If the statement of Rappler is true with regard to its ownership and control, as well as that due process was not observed, then this is indeed something that is deeply concerning in the context of press freedom,” it said.

“However, if the ruling of the SEC is upheld, Rappler must face the consequences as provided by law,” added the human rights body.

Prominent Filipino bloggers have joined members of the mainstream and alternative media in criticizing the decision of the SEC to shut down Rappler.

In a statement, the group called Bloggers for Freedom expressed concern over moves to silence journalists, bloggers and other media practitioners critical of the present administration.

“We, concerned Filipino bloggers, stand for the rights to free expression and to free speech. And our first responsibility is to protect these rights,” read the statement.

“We thus stand with Rappler, its right to exist, the rights of its working journalists and contributors, and the rights of its community of leaders,” it added.

The group slammed attacks against those whose views and reports are against the government.

“Now is the time for making choices and battles between truth and lies, debate and dissonance, democracy and dictatorship,” they added.

The statement was initiated by prominent bloggers Noemi Lardizabal-Dado and Tonyo Cruz. – With Paolo Romero, Janvic Mateo