Rappler’s Maria Ressa being singled out — Robredo

Journalist and Rappler CEO Maria Ressa is being "singled out," Vice President Leni Robredo said Sunday, following the seventh time the journalist posted bail in over a month.

"[H]indi naman natin sinasabi na bigyan ng special treatment. Pero iyong sa atin lang, kung nagkasala, eh ‘di kasuhan para panagutin kung may pagkakasala, pero ito kasi, parang nakikita natin na sini-single-out," Robredo said in her radio show aired on dzXL.

Her remarks come days after Ressa was arrested on Friday, March 29, upon her arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) from an overseas trip.

A warrant of arrest against Ressa had been issued by the Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 265 over the allegation that she and members of Rappler's 2016 Board violated the Anti-Dummy Law.

Ressa was released after posting bail. Other members of the Board did so ahead of the issuance of a warrant of arrest.

Human rights groups and media organizations have decried the Duterte administration's focus on Ressa, saying that her treatment is part of a drive to silence critics of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Robredo on Sunday cited, in contrast, Ilocos Norte 2nd District Representative Imelda Marcos, who is free despite having been convicted of seven counts of graft for creating and managing foundations in Switzerland that earned interest for the benefit of her family. 

The former first lady posted a P300,000 bail bond at the Sandiganbayan, while Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said that Marcos' age and health would be considered should she be arrested.

"Alam natin na maraming mga malalaking tao na marami nang charges ng korapsyon—‘di ba si dating first lady Imelda Marcos nga, mayroong conviction—hindi naman nakukulong," said Robredo.

"Maraming... maraming charges ng korapsyon, imbes na file-an ng kaso o makulong ito, nakalabas, binibigyan pa ng posisyon sa pamahalaan. Tapos ito, parang, iyong harassment grabe," she added. — Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/BM, GMA News