Malacañang cautions against UN official’s defense of Rappler

MALACAÑANG said United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression David Kaye should not politicize the tax evasion cases the government has filed against Rappler.com and its CEO and executive editor Maria A. Ressa.
“An official from the United Nations (UN) has once again barged into our legal and judicial processes. Without the benefit of factual information, Mr. Kaye, UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression, has called on the government to drop the tax evasion charges against Rappler and its head, Maria Ressa, contending falsely that the same constitutes censorship,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo said in a press statement released on Saturday night, Dec. 8.
In his statement on Dec. 6, as posted on the official Web site of the UN Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner, Mr. Kaye said: “In light of past measures taken against Rappler, I am concerned that the charges of tax evasion constitute an attempt to silence the news outlet’s independent reporting.”
He added: “This is a serious threat against independent and investigative journalism in the Philippines, and will have implications beyond its borders.”
In response, Mr. Panelo said: “We expect the UN representative to be more circumspect instead of politicizing a crime and ignoring its gravity and assaulting the sovereignty of our country.”
“Tax evasion is a serious offense not only in the Philippines but in other countries as well,” he added.
“The case against the media outfit has absolutely nothing to do with the freedom of expression. Being a media entity and a journalist cannot shield them from criminal prosecution when they violate the law. A court of competent jurisdiction has found probable cause against them; hence, they have been formally charged.”
“The fact that Rappler and its reporters continue to publish articles of dissent against this Administration is an eloquent testimonial. The fact that detractors and critics of the President continue to air their protests in various media platforms against our policies is another irrefutable proof. Should there be cases of censorship, people are always free to seek redress from the courts. We note that there are no reports of such cases.” — Arjay L. Balinbin