CA upholds Ressa libel conviction

MANILA --- A division of the Court of Appeals has denied its CEO Maria Ressa and a former staffer’s appeal against their cyber libel conviction stemming from a 2012 article on businessman Wilfredo Keng’s links to former Chief Justice Renato Corona.

In dismissing Ressa and former Rappler researcher and writer Reynaldo Santos’ appeal, the CA’s Fourth Division composed of Associate Justices Roberto Quiroz, Ramon Bato and Germano Francsico Legaspi also lengthened their jail time.

A Manila court had sentenced them to a prison term ranging from six months and a day to six years, but the CA modified their punishment to a jail time of six months and a day to six years, eight months and 20 days.

“They disagree with the decision and their legal counsels are currently reviewing the decision. Both will avail of all legal remedies available to them, including elevating the decision to the Supreme Court for review,” Rappler said in a statement.

The news outlet, which was at the receiving end of a battery of legal charges under the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte, called the decision “unfortunate,” but a “good opportunity” for the Supreme Court to reevaluate the constitutionality of cyber libel.

“The decision weakens the ability of journalists to hold power to account,” Rappler said. “This is not just about Maria Ressa, Rey Santos Jr., or Rappler. What is ultimately at stake is our democracy whose strength rests on a media that is not threatened by the state nor intimidated by forces out to silence critical voices.”