Duterte nothing to do with Ressa’s arrest, Palace says

February 14, 2019

Malacanang has distanced itself from the arrest of Rappler CEO Maria Ressa over the cyberlibel charge filed against her by a private individual.

In a radio interview on Thursday, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said it was businessman Wilfredo Keng, who filed the complaint and not President Rodrigo Duterte.

"Maria Ressa has been saying that (her arrest) was an assault to freedom of expression or freedom of the press, there's no basis. Why? Because the President and his presidency have been an object of many criticisms (by) many... journalists, senators, congressmen but he never filed libel case to anyone of them," he said.

"So why would he be interested in a case filed by an individual whom he does not know? In other words, absolutely, there is no connection whatever," Panelo stressed.

The chief presidential legal counsel also said Ressa's being a "high-profile" journalist did not exempt her for a complaint from an "ordinary individual."

Ressa had to stay overnight at the National Bureau of Investigation headquarters in Manila on Wednesday because she was not able to post her bail.

She was only released after posting P100,000 bail on Thursday morning.

Contrary to Ressa's camp's claim, Panelo said that the rule of law has been observed.

The mere fact that a complaint was filed against her and the preliminary investigation to determine if there was a probable cause was conducted, the rule of law was observed, he said.

He even observed that Ressa seemed to be enjoying her arrest and detention at NBI based on what he saw on television.

"First, she was smiling, apparently she's enjoying everything. She continues to criticize (the government), so how could you say that there is violation - that there's a violation of the freedom of expression. She's already inside the NBI (headquarters) and yet she continues to hit (the government)," he stressed. 

The Duterte administration has been criticized locally and internationally for the arrest of Ressa. 

Rappler is also facing tax evasion cases in another court. Celerina Monte/DMS