Palace to Ressa: Focus on defense, be truthful on present situation

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Saturday told Rappler chief executive officer Maria Ressa that she cannot forever use freedom of the press for her defense each time she gets arrested for violating the law.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said that instead of using the freedom of the press defense, Ressa should find ways on how to defend her cases.

“Instead of fomenting disrespect to the constituted authorities and using her journalistic talent to spread her twisted and pretentious advocacy, she should focus on her defense and be truthful on her present situation,” Panelo said in a statement.

“She cannot forever hide behind the freedom of the press every time she commits what probably is a transgression of law as determined by the investigating prosecutor and the judge handling her case,” he added.

Ressa was again arrested Friday over an alleged violation of the Anti-Dummy Law and the Securities Regulations Code (SRC).

The arrest warrant was issued by Judge Acerey Pacheco of the Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 265.

READ: Rappler’s Ressa arrested at Naia

According to Panelo, Ressa cannot claim that her arrest was a violation of press freedom as she was given temporary liberty after posting a P90,000 bail.

READ: Ressa freed after posting bail for Anti-Dummy Law

“She cannot be using her arrest as a violation of the freedom of the press and make it as an excuse to attack the government,” Panelo said.

“She wants a special treatment owing to her being a journalist. She wants her profession to shield her from accountability of a wrongdoing that she could be guilty of,” Panelo added.

Panelo added that due process was observed in Ressa’s case and that she would not be treated differently.

READ: Palace on Ressa arrest: ‘She wants to be treated differently. That cannot be done’

“All is equal before the law.  It is no respecter of any social and political status. The law does not discriminate.  Everyone subject of an arrest warrant must be given equal treatment as to its service,” he said. /muf