Opposition leaders Robredo, Hontiveros hit SEC decision on Rappler

The camp of Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday  criticized the Securities and Exchange Commission's affirmation on June 28 decision of its earlier ruling to shut down news website Rappler.

The SEC order revoked the certificates of incorporation of Rappler Inc. and Rappler Holdings Corp. for supposedly violating the foreign ownership restrictions on mass media companies.

"The affirmation of the closure order comes as no surprise, given the outgoing administration's spotty track record in upholding freedom of the press and its clear hostility toward Rappler in particular," Ibarra Gutierrez, spokesperson for outgoing Vice President Robredo.

"This merely makes clear the challenge ahead: to push back against government-led efforts to clamp down on and delegitimize the free press and to draw a clear line in defense of truth and free speech," Gutierrez added.

Hontiveros, for her part, argued that it is truly deplorable that the government continues to find new ways of threatening legitimate news organizations not to exercise press freedom.

"While many registered news outfits are being crushed, unaccountable and insensitive vloggers and internet journalists have been given accreditation to cover the most important events in government. This only sows distrust and cultivates a tame coverage," Hontiveros pointed out.

"I will always fight for freedom of the press. We need critical, honest, and facts-based journalism.  Silencing important media voices like Rappler, and ABS-CBN before it, not only affects the flow of information for the day. These assaults on independent press and other perceived “threats” also chip away at our democracy," she added.

In a separate statement, Rappler maintained that it did not violate any law.

“We are entitled to appeal this decision and will do so, especially since the proceedings were highly irregular,” the company said.

Rappler's legal counsel, Francis Lim, stressed in a separate press conference that Rappler's issuance of Philippine Depositary Receipts (PDRs) to Omidyar Network does not equate to ownership of shares of stocks in the company.

Under the Constitution, "no law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances." —NB, GMA News