Palace on CA ruling vs Rappler: Let the law takes its course

The Rappler newsroom at Capitol Commons in Pasig City (Photo by GRIG C.MONTEGRANDE / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang will let the courts do its duty after the Court of Appeals affirmed the decision of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) revoking Rappler’s license to operate.

“As we said, any case that has been filed before the courts we will not interfere. We will let the law takes its course,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a Palace briefing.

READ: CA denies Rappler appeal in SEC case

Panelo maintained that the case of Rappler was not a press freedom issue.

“Oh definitely [not].. It’s not related. Ever since, it’s never related [to press freedom],” he said.

In a 29-page decision dated January 11, 2018, SEC ruled that Rappler, Inc. and its controlling shareholder Rappler Holdings Corp. were “liable for violating the constitutional and statutory Foreign Equity Restrictions in Mass Media enforceable through rules and laws within the mandate of the Commission.”

READ: SEC orders Rappler to shut down

Rappler had been accused that it was not 100 percent Filipino-owned, violating a provision in the Constitution. /je