Palace says Rappler reporter still banned in Malacanang despite Omidyar’s donation

March 1, 2018

A ban against reporter of Rappler in Malacanang stays despite the decision of Omidyar Network donating the Philippine Depository Receipts to managers of the online news website, Malacanang said on Thursday.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque expressed belief that Omidyar's move to donate $1.5 million to some managers of Rappler was an acknowledgement by the latter its PDRs contravene the Constitution and other existing laws.

"It’s an admission against interest that they violated our Constitution...that’s an admission and we are happy that they admitted because now we can say even Rappler now admits that they are not victims of censorship. They are not victims, impingement of press freedom," he said.

Asked if Rappler's reporter could not yet cover Malacanang and the President, Roque said, "of course."

Malacanang has barred Pia Ranada, Rappler's reporter from entering the premises of the Malacanang Complex or in any event where Duterte would grace.

But Rappler refuted Roque's statement,saying it has maintained that the government-recognized PDRs it issued to Omidyar did not go against the constitutional requirement of Filipino ownership of media entities.

But despite Omiyar's donation to Rappler's officials, Roque expressed doubt this would rectify the problem involving the company's ownership.

"I doubt if that will cure it, because it has already been declared as void. So if they want to assist Rappler, they must form a new corporation anew," he said.

"The SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) can’t do anything about it because they have already decided and it’s now in the CA (Court of Appeals). If at all, it is the CA that can consider it. But as far as I know, no change in circumstance could affect an issue already brought to Court; unless it would render it moot. But the issue here is was there a violation of the constitution because of the PDR issued by Rappler," he added.

Roque has admitted Duterte became pissed off at Ranada for allegedly reporting fake news. He has also said that the Palace was just implementing the order of the SEC revoking Rappler's license. Celerina Monte/DMS