Ressa case dropped out of Keng goodwill

Miss Ressa had been already convicted by the Manila Regional Trial Court for cyber libel, arising from her publication in Rappler of a libelous article portraying me as being involved illegal activities

Wilfredo Keng’s decision to withdraw a second libel case against Rappler Chief Executive Officer Maria Ressa was made “out of goodwill,” his lawyer said Thursday.

The businessman, lawyer Ryan Cruz said,

can now redirect his attention and resources to support the ongoing efforts in battling the pandemic.

In a media forum, Keng’s counsel Cruz said his client’s earlier victory over Ressa had vindicated him and that there was no need for a second triumph.

“Miss Ressa had been convicted by the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) for cyber libel, arising from her publication in Rappler of a libelous article portraying me as being involved illegal activities,” Keng said in a statement read by Cruz.

“The Manila RTC even noted the fact that I have a clear record with the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation), establishing that I am innocent of the false allegations,” Keng’s statement added.

Ressa has elevated the case before the Court of Appeals.

“(Mr. Keng) and his legal team have always been confident that (Ressa’s) 2019 Twitter post, which contains essentially the same libelous material as the 2014 updated Rappler article, for which she had already been convicted, will likewise result in a conviction,” Cruz said.

Moreover, Keng stressed that his decision to withdraw the second libel case should dispel any lingering thoughts that the suit was orchestrated by the government.

“My desire to seek redress at this point is not as urgent as my family’s desire to help those affected by the health crisis. The situation we are facing has compelled me to redirect my time and energy to what my family and I believe to be a more important battle — that of confronting the pandemic and helping those affected by it,” Keng, president and CEO of Century Peak Holding Corp., said.

Keng has placed P10 Million, through former Vice President Noli De Castro, to assist frontliners, and the victims and families affected by the coronavirus, prioritizing the indigents and medical health workers.

Keng stressed that his decision to withdraw the second libel case should dispel any lingering thoughts that the suit was orchestrated by the government.

“I believe we have to honor and reward our doctors, nurses, and other medical staff for the heroic job they are doing for our countrymen during this crisis,” he noted.

Keng filed his manifestation on 25 May 2021 before the Makati RTC “praying for the dismissal of the civil aspect of this case and seeking that he and his witnesses are excused from further participating in this case,” prompting Makati Judge Andres Soriano to formally dismiss the case in open court on Tuesday, 1 June.

Theodore Te, Ressa’s lawyer, did not object.