SC ends decade-long case to shut down Rappler
MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court (SC) has terminated the government’s decade-long case to shut down online news website Rappler.
In an order promulgated Jan. 20, 2026 but made public Thursday, the SC’s Third Division has declared the case “closed and terminated and the parties informed accordingly.”
The SC issued the resolution after the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) withdrew its motion for extension to file a petition for review dated Sep. 15, 2025.
OSG was supposed to appeal the Court of Appeals’ decision that favored Rappler.
READ: Rappler wins appeal vs SEC shutdown order
Under the rules, a final decision of the Court of Appeals must be taken to the Supreme Court through a petition for review.
However, the OSG withdrew its motion prompting the SC declare the case “closed and terminated.”
“Let entry of judgment be issued immediately,” the SC said.
After an entry of judgment, a decision can no longer be modified by any court, including the Supreme Court, except to correct clerical errors.
The case started in 2017 when the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) accused Rappler of violating constitutional prohibitions on foreign media ownership.
The charges centered on Philippine Depository Receipts (PDRs) issued to Omidyar Network, an American philanthropic fund.
By January 2018, the SEC moved to revoke Rappler’s certificate of incorporation.
But the Court of Appeals reversed the SEC’s ruling, holding that Rappler is “wholly owned and managed by Filipinos,” and criticized the SEC for a “flagrant violation of due process.”
The SEC appealed the ruling but the Court of Appeals stood by its ruling in favor of Rappler as it noted that the SEC exceeded even the threshold of “grave abuse of discretion,” citing a clear “bias” against the outlet.
Meanwhile, Nobel Laureate Maria Ressa’s international legal defense, led by Amal Clooney and Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC, welcomed the decision as a watershed moment for Southeast Asian journalism.
“This is an important victory for Maria Ressa and journalists across the Philippines,” said Amal Clooney of Doughty Street Chambers. “I welcome the position taken by the Solicitor General and the court rulings recognizing the paramount importance of the press in a free society.”
Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC added that the victory should serve as a “pivot point” for the rule of law in the country. “We hope this positive direction of travel will continue as the remaining cases against Maria reach resolution,” she stated. /das
