Rappler, who has been widely praised for controlling the administration of outgoing Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, has faced relentless legal charges and investigations. The latest case concerns a allegation that Rappler violated foreign property restrictions in the media – a claim that Rappler denies. On Tuesday, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), a business regulator, upheld a previous decision to revoke Rappler’s certificates of incorporation. The decision, Rappler said, “substantially confirmed the closure” of the outlet. The announcement comes just days before Duterte resigned and his successor, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., son and namesake of the late dictator, took office. In a press conference Wednesday, Resa said the news site would challenge the decision. “We are still working. It’s a job as usual… [We] “We will follow the legal process, we will continue to defend our rights,” he said. The SEC said in a statement that it had confirmed the revocation of Rappler’s certificates of incorporation, adding that Rappler had violated “constitutional and legal restrictions on foreign media ownership” when it received funding from Omidyar Network, the charity of eB founder , Pierre Omidyar. This gave the Omidyar Network “control over the media organization,” he said in a statement. Rappler said the Omidyar Network had issued custody certificates in the Philippines and that they did not equate to property. The Omidyar Network was, Rappler said, a silent investor with no control over day-to-day operations. The Omidyar Network also later donated PDRs to Rappler’s Filipino executives. Resa said the deal was not a violation of the constitution, but that Rapler had been a target throughout Duterte’s presidency. “We have been harassed. This is bullying. These are political tactics. “We refuse to bow to them,” he said. “Our goal is to keep the line,” Ressa said. “We are not going to give up our rights voluntarily. And you really should not. I kept calling for it. “When you give up your rights, you will never get them back.” He likened the environment in the Philippines to quicksand and said the store had “designs from A to Z”. Ressa is facing seven legal cases, including charges of tax evasion and defamation in cyberspace, which have been widely condemned by media freedom advocates and rights groups. Last year, Ressa, along with Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov, were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts to “ensure freedom of expression.” The media came under intense pressure from Duterte’s presidency. In 2020, the country’s largest broadcaster, ABS-CBN, was shut down. Last week, the National Telecommunications Commission blocked access to 28 websites, including Bulatlat, a human rights news site. The government has denied that the lawsuits against Rappler or others are politically motivated. There are fears about the prospects of journalists under the administration of the incoming president, Marcos Jr. His father, Marcos Sr, who was ousted in 1986, was notorious for imposing martial law and shutting down all independent media. Marcos Jr. has also been criticized for avoiding scrutiny during the election campaign, including bypassing presidential debates and avoiding questions from journalists who are considered hostile. Subscribe to the First Edition, our free daily newsletter – every morning at 7am Ressa said she hoped for the best under the administration, but added: “Given its history [election] campaign. Given the 36-year history [since Marcos Sr was ousted] I think the burden of proof is actually the incoming administration. I continue to call on the forthcoming administration to cooperate with the journalists. “We are here to help give you a better future for the Philippines. We are not your enemies.” Francis Lim, Rappler’s legal adviser, said Rappler strongly disagreed with the SEC decision. “Fortunately for us, we have the legal means available to challenge the decision in our courts,” he said.
