Maria Ressa conviction should not ‘diminish’ freedom of expression — IBP president

Rappler CEO Maria Ressa's conviction of cyber libel should not "diminish" Filipinos' freedom of expression, the president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) said Tuesday.

"The decision of the trial court should not deter media or any citizen from seeking the truth nor diminish our freedom of expression or any of our constitutional rights," IBP president Domingo Egon Cayosa said in a statement.

"It should nevertheless remind us to responsibly exercise our rights with due regard for others," he said.

Ressa and former Rappler researcher Reynaldo Santos Jr. face up to six years of imprisonment over an alleged "republication" of an article that was originally posted on the Rappler website before the Cybercrime Prevention Act was enacted.

The article, which cites an "intelligence report" linking businessman Wilfredo Keng to supposed criminal activities, was originally published in 2012 and then "updated" in 2014 supposedly just to correct a misspelling. The judge that handed down the verdict said this amounts to a republication, dismissing the typo claim as "hearsay."

In the ruling, Judge Rainelda Estacio-Montesa of the Manila Regional Trial Court also said the prescriptive period -- or the period within which one can sue -- for cyber libel is 12 years. By comparison, ordinary libel under the Revised Penal Code prescribes in one year.

Critics called the ruling a blow to press freedom.

Cayosa said issues on prescription and republication, as well as on a Supreme Court circular on penalties imposed, can be resolved by the appellate courts.

"As the verdict is not final, we urge everyone to stick to the facts, refrain from labeling, and support a timely resolution of the remaining issues. Justice bilis not justice tiis," he said in the statement.

He also mentioned a need for "clarity" in Philippine laws.

"May the case highlight the need for clarity in our laws to leave less room for interpretation or misapplication and fortify our courage to uphold the rule of law," Cayosa said.

Rappler lawyer Theodore Te said they will decide what legal action to take within 15 days. — RSJ, GMA News