Maria Ressa
A trial court in the Philippines acquitted Philippines Nobel laureate Maria Ressa and her news site Rappler of tax fraud on Tuesday, in yet another legal success for the persecuted journalist.
Ressa, who shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 2021 with a Russian writer, is the editor-in-chief of Rappler, a news outlet known for its harsh criticism of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and his deadly drug war.
Ressa told the media after the verdict was announced that she felt good about the court’s decision.
After being exonerated of similar tax charges nine months ago, Ressa’s acquittal was expected.
These allegations derive from a 2018 government indictment accusing Ressa and Rappler of evading taxes by failing to register the revenues of a depositary receipts sale to overseas investors in 2015.
Maria Ressa, 59, is currently on bail and was convicted in 2020 for cyber libel in one of several cases initiated by government agencies against the website. She claimed that the cases were politically motivated.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., in office for 14 months, has stated that he will not intervene in the court lawsuits against Rappler.
Rappler is still up for business as it appeals a securities regulator’s closure decision.
The Philippines is ranked 132 out of 180 nations on the World Press Freedom Index, with the media described as extremely vibrant despite the government’s targeted attacks and constant harassment of critical journalists.
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