Tax evasion case vs Rappler strictly a legal issue – Palace

“Dura lex sed lex. The law may be harsh but it is the law.”

Malacañang Palace made this statement on the approval of the Department of Justice (DOJ) on the filing of a tax evasion case against online news outlet Rappler.

“The issue simply is: Has Rappler violated the law? The Department of Justice has found probable cause hence a case was filed against the media outlet,” presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement on Monday.

Panelo, who is also the chief legal counsel of President Rodrigo Duterte, insisted that under the current administration “no one is exempted, rich or poor, powerful or weak” from every transgression of the law.

“If you violate the law, then you can not escape the wrath of its punishment,” he said.

The Palace official issued the statement days after the DOJ approved the filing of tax evasion case against Rappler.

In its resolution released on Friday, the DOJ affirmed the complaint against Rappler Holdings Corp. (RHC) and its president Maria Ressa and accountant Noel A. Baladiang for willful attempt to evade or defeat tax and willful failure to supply correct and accurate information under Sections 254 and 255 of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC).

The complaint against Rappler was filed by the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) last March.

Based on the complaint, RHC and Ressa failed to indicate in RHCs 2015 tax returns the total gain of almost P162.5-million, which was due to the issuance of Philippine Depositary Receipts (PDR) to Washington DC-based NBM Rappler LP, a unit of North Base Media and Omidyar Network Find LLC (Omidyar).

In a statement, Rappler said the case is a “clear form of continuing intimidation and harassment and an attempt to silence reporting that does not please the administration.” /atm

READ: DOJ OKS tax evasion case vs Rappler