Hontiveros: Arrest warrant vs. Rappler’s Maria Ressa meant to silence dissent

Senator Risa Hontiveros on Monday denounced the issuance of a warrant of arrest against Rappler Holdings CEO Maria Ressa, calling it an attempt by the Duterte administration to silence its critics.

"The Duterte administration is implementing a 'harass the dissenters, protect the plunderers' policy. The issuance of a warrant of arrest against Rappler CEO Maria Ressa is yet another attempt by the Duterte government not only to silence dissent, but also to muzzle the media into fear," Hontiveros said in a press release.

The opposition senator claimed that President Rodrigo Duterte wants to control the free flow of information in the country as well as to neutralize a potential channel of criticism.

Hontiveros also noted that while the government "intimidates" critics, it gives "preferential treatment" to former First Lady and incumbent Ilocos Norte Representative Imelda Marcos, who was found guilty of seven counts of graft.

"Mabagsik sa media at oposisyon, pero maamong tuta naman sa mga mandarambong," Hontiveros said.

Senator Francisco "Kiko" Pangilinan, on the other hand, urged the courts to let due process take its course in Ressa's case, noting that attacking critics should not be tolerated.

"Attacking critics and persecuting them through abuse of institutions must not be tolerated," Pangilinan said.

"We condemn the threats, accusations, and harassments against her. We stand with Maria Ressa as she continues to hold the line," he added.

Ressa already posted bail in connection with the tax case the government has lodged against her before the Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 265.

The veteran journalist is facing charges of violating Section 255 of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997.

International rights organization Human Rights Watch (HRW) also declared that the charges filed against Ressa and the media organization are "politically motivated" and that it is part of the campaign to silence the government's critics.

"This is not a surprising behavior by the administration but is nonetheless abominable. As we earlier said, the attacks on Rappler are consistent with the way the Duterte administration has treated other 'drug war' critics such as Senator Leila de Lima," HRW researcher Carlos Conde said in a statement.

Ressa is scheduled to be arraigned on December 7. — Anna Felicia Bajo/BM, GMA News