Tax court allows journalist Ressa’s trip to Oslo
THE PHILIPPINES’ tax appeals court has approved the request of Filipino journalist Maria A. Ressa to travel to Oslo, Norway to receive her Nobel Peace Prize.
The decision comes after the country’s appellate court granted a similar request from Ms. Ressa, who is currently facing cyber-libel and tax evasion cases that she said are politically motivated.
Prosecutors in the ongoing tax-related cases against the founder of the news site Rappler “did not file any comment nor opposition to the accused’s urgent motion to travel outside the country,” the Court of Tax Appeals said in a resolution.
The court’s first division said Ms. Ressa can travel outside the Philippines from Dec. 8 to 13. The embattled journalist must notify the court and provide proof of her arrival in the Philippines within three days of her return, it added.
The Court of Appeals last week granted a similar request, saying that it is “only for the purpose of attending the Nobel Peace Prize Award Ceremony.”
The Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize to Ms. Ressa and Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov “for their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression.”
Solicitor General Jose C. Calida had tried to block Ms. Ressa’s travel request, saying she was a flight risk and argued that Ms. Ressa could attend the ceremony virtually.
Rappler has published reports critical of President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s policies, including his deadly drug war that has killed thousands. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza
