NUJP backs Rappler, recalls Duterte’s threat vs. news site

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) has expressed support for Rappler and Rappler Holdings Corp. after the Securities and Exchange Commission's (SEC) revoked their certificates of registration.

The SEC revoked the certificates of incorporation of both Rappler, Inc. and Rappler Holdings Corp. in a 29-page decision signed on January 11.

"The SEC has apparently decided to reject Rappler's contention that its foreign investors merely placed money in the outfit but do not own it, which it issued after President Rodrigo Duerte, in his state of the nation address last year, threatened to have its ownership investigated," the NUJP said.

"It was but one of many threats Duterte has made against media critical of him and his governance, such as the Philippine Daily Inquirer and broadcast network ABS-CBN, whose franchise renewal he threatened to block," it added.

The NUJP expressed confidence that Rappler would mount "a legal defense against what amounts to their closure."

NUJP said that it will support Rappler and "all other independent media outfits that the state has threatened and may threaten to shut down."

"We call on all Filipino journalists to unite and resist every and all attempts to silence us," it said.

The SEC in its ruling declared void the Philippine Depositary Receipt (PDR) of Omidyar Network, an investment firm by eBay founder Pierre Omidyar.

A PDR allows foreign investors to invest in a Filipino company without conferring ownership or control.  —NB, GMA News