Maria Ressa vows to hold gov't accountable for violating her rights

Rappler CEO Maria Ressa on Friday vowed to "hold the government accountable" over what she said was a violation of her rights following her arrest in connection with a cyber libel case.

Interviewed on Dobol B sa News TV, Ressa emphasized that she feels challenged to do a "better job" in making the government accountable for its actions.

"Hindi po ako natatakot sa mga ganyan, if anything hinahamon niyo po ako to do a better job to keep you accountable. Parang they're scared of journalists going after the truth which is the constitutional right of every Filipino," Ressa said.

"Every action they take, they need to be accountable for the people. As Secretary [Salvador] Panelo also pointed out, when they overstretch their power... kasi abuse of power po 'yung nangyari. Meron din akong karapatan. They cannot violate my right," she added.

Earlier, Ressa, in an interview on ANC, clarified that she is not asking for a special treatment: "What I want is my rights as a Filipino. You have violated my rights and I will hold the government accountable for that."

Ressa told Dobol B sa News TV that the government's actions against her would not only have an impact on members of the media but to all Filipinos.

"'Yung impact niya not just sa mamamahayag but sa Pilipino mismo," she said. "Nakakatakot siya."

"Press freedom is not just for journalists. Press freedom is the foundation of all the rights of Filipinos to the truth. That is for our democracy to get stronger," she added.

She believes that this should "provoke outrage" among the public.

Ressa, a veteran journalist and a known critic of the Duterte administration, also said she is a victim of "selective justice." She likewise accused the government of using the law as "weapon" to "intimidate and harass."

Out on bail, Ressa was arrested for a cyber libel case filed by the Department of Justice, which indicted her and a former reporter last month over a story Rappler published in 2012.

The case stems from a complaint by businessman Wilfredo Keng, who took issue with a story citing an “intelligence report” linking him to human trafficking and drug smuggling.

Ressa and former reporter Reynaldo Santos were indicted despite their arguments that the alleged offenses were committed months before the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 was enacted.

Ressa and her lawyers tried but failed to post bail before a Pasay night court Wednesday evening. Her lawyer, JJ Disini, said the judge was concerned he may not have jurisdiction to accept bail on a case pending before a regional trial court.

Keng's lawyer has denied his client is connected with the Duterte administration.

During the ANC interview, Ressa insisted that they will not take down the controversial story as requested by Keng's camp.

"When we vetted the story, we will not take it down," she said.

"Once we vetted it, that story stays up." —Anna Felicia Bajo/KBK, GMA News