Medialdea: Rappler reporters can’t enter Palace until SEC case fixed

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea (File photo by LYN RILLON / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Rappler reporters, including Pia Rañada who covers President Rodrigo Duterte, would not be allowed to enter Malacañang Palace and cover events of the president for now, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said Tuesday.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) revoked the registration of Rappler, Medialdea pointed out. Since Rañada works at Rappler, her accreditation has in effect also been revoked.

Medialdea said Rappler should straighten out its case first with the SEC, which accused the firm of breaking the constitutional limits to foreign ownership of media outfits.

“Ayusin muna nila yung kanilang personality as a corporation, as a local corporation,” he said.

Asked if it was Duterte’s order to bar Ranada, Medialdea said the president was “just following the decision of the SEC.”

“Executory kasi yung decision ng SEC,” Medialdea said.

In a 29-page decision dated Jan. 11, 2018, the 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.” /atm