Justice department investigating Rappler’s possible violation on foreign ownership

January 16, 2018

News website Rappler is facing more legal worries after the Department of Justice (DOJ) began its investigation into a possible violation of the constitutional provision on foreign ownership.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said Tuesday his legal staff started a review on decision of the Securities and Exchange Commission revoking certificate of incorporation of Rappler Inc. and Rappler Holdings Corp.  on January 11.

"I have directed my legal staff to study the legal issues of this case," Aguirre said in an interview.

Aguirre said the investigation would cover possible criminal liabilities of  Rappler’s executives, apart from its reported violation of the constitutional prohibition on foreign ownership.

In its order last January 11, the SEC revoked Rappler’s corporate registration, saying it violated constitutional provision on foreign ownership.

Article 16, Section 11 (1) of the 1987 Constitution provides that ownership and management of media “shall be limited to citizens of the Philippines, or to corporations, cooperatives or associations, wholly owned and managed by such citizens.” DMS