Rappler's CEO released after posting bail
RAPPLER chief executive officer and executive director Maria Ressa was released on Friday, March 29, after posting bail at the Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC) 265.
Ressa posted P90,000 bail over charges in alleged violation of the AntiDummy Act.
She was arrested by police Friday morning, March 29, after she arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) from San Francisco, California. The arrest was made by virtue of a warrant issued by Pasig RTC 265 Judge Acerey Pacheco.
She was brought to the Pasig City police station.
The charges were filed against Ressa and other Rappler executives, including Manuel Ayala, Nico Jose Nolledo, Glenda Gloria, James Bitangca, Felicia Atienza and James Velasquez by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for allegedly issuing Philippine Depositary Receipts (PDRs) to foreign corporation Omidyar Network Fund, LCC.
The NBI said Rappler, a local online news agency, allowed a foreign investor to inject funds in the company, which is prohibited in the Philippine Laws.
The Securities and Exchange Commission earlier ordered the revocation of Rappler’s license due to ownership i ssues.
On December, Ressa also posted bail amounting to P60,000 over tax evasion cases.
On February 13, Ressa was also arrested over cyber-libel charges for a story published in the news site in May 2012. She was also released after posting bail.
(Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo/ SunStar Philippines)