Roque: No Palace hand in NBI subpoenas vs. Rappler's Ressa, 2 others

Malacañang on Saturday said it had nothing to do with the subpoenas issued by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to Rappler CEO Maria Ressa and two others over a complaint filed by a businessman regarding one of the news site's articles.

"I'd like to clarify again that the Palace had no hand in the issuance in the subpoena issued by the NBI to Rappler," presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a briefing in Kalibo, Aklan.

"Wala na naman po kaming kinalaman diyan. Mayroon pong pribadong partido na naghain ng reklamo. Natural. Didinggin po 'yung reklamo," he added.

The subpoenas signed by NBI deputy director for investigation services Vicente de Guzman were issued on Ressa, former Rappler reporter Reynaldo Santos Jr. and businessman Benjamin Bitanga. They are ordered to appear before the NBI on January 22.

Wilfredo Keng accused them of violating the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 due to an article published in May 29, 2012, which named him as a businessman who allegedly issued an SUV used by late former Chief Justice Renato Corona.

The article also mentioned Keng's alleged involvement in human trafficking and smuggling.

Prior to the businessman's complaint, Rappler's incorporation papers were revoked by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II had ordered last Wednesday the NBI to investigate the possible criminal liabilities of the news site.

The embattled news organization had slammed the order as a "fishing expedition" and "pure and simple harassment." —ALG, GMA News