Minority senators slam Ressa conviction, claim law being weaponized vs. press freedom

Members of the minority bloc in the Senate on Monday slammed the conviction of Rappler CEO Maria Ressa and a former researcher of  cyber libel, calling it an attack on press freedom.

"This year alone, and while we're responding to a global pandemic, we have witnessed the shutdown of a far-reaching media institution and the weaponization of the law against a journalist doing unbiased reporting on extrajudicial killings in the country," Senator Risa Hontiveros said in a statement.

"Today’s conviction sends a chilling message to all: kung kritiko ka, pwede kang ipasara at pwede kang patahimikin," she added.

Ressa and former Rappler researcher Reynaldo Santos Jr. were sentenced  to six months and one day to up to six years in jail after being judged guilty of cyber libel over an article linking businessman Wilfredo Keng to human trafficking and drug smuggling. Both of them were able to post bail.

The said article was published months before the anti-cybercrime law was enacted. However, prosecutors claimed that the "republished" version of the story in 2014 is covered by the law.

In line with the recent developments, Hontiveros urged the public to speak out all the more.

"Dumarami tayo. We are complicit if we are silent. Takot sila, kaya nila tayo pinapatahimik," she said.

Senator Leila de Lima also described the the conviction as "another demonstration of the Duterte government's weaponization of law against those who dare speak truth to power."

The lawmaker, detained at Camp Crame over alleged involvement in illegal drug trade, added that putting her behind bars for over three years now was only one of the thousand ways how the present administration instills fear among those who defend what is just and right.

"They will not stop at going after critics and human rights defenders. To them, journalists too must be silenced. But we will not allow it," De Lima said.

Senator Francis Pangilinan likewise stood firm that critics should not cower.

"Under the current political atmosphere of repression and authoritarianism, it would have been a surprise if Maria and Reynaldo were acquitted," he said.

"If they think this conviction and the effort to stifle dissent will silence those critical of this Administration then I say to them, No way!" he added.

Pangilinan also warned that if the public will not stand up and speak out, Ressa's and Santos' case will "not be the last."

'Appeal'

Meanwhile, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said the regional trial court's ruling can still be appealed.

"Court decisions are based on evidence and the law. Ms. Ressa has all the benefits of Appeal to the higher courts," he said in a message to reporters.

He also posted a Bible verse on Twitter, hours after the guilty verdict was handed down.

"Exodus 20:16. The 9th Commandment Of the Great Architect Of The Universe!" it read.

The New International Version of the said verse states that "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor."

Senator Panfilo Lacson, refraining from commenting on the merits of the case as he admitted that he is not familiar with the details, also said the legal remedy of appealing is available to Ressa and Santos.

"Under our judicial system, due process does not end with a guilty verdict rendered by a regional trial court," he said.

"Ms. Maria Ressa and Mr. Santos can always appeal the decision to the appellate court and the Supreme Court if necessary. This is a guaranteed right of every Filipino under our existing laws," he added. --KBK, GMA News