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DOJ hits “irresponsible” claims arrest of Ressa was an attack on press freedom

(Eagle News) — The Department of Justice on Thursday, Feb. 14, slammed “irresponsible” claims the arrest of Rappler’s Maria Ressa constituted an attack on press freedom. According to Undersecretary Markk Perete, who is also the DOJ spokesperson, Ressa was in the first place arrested and faces prosecution for libel. “Certainly, the freedoms of the press, of speech, and of expression do not give any person–whether a journalist, a blogger, or any person of whatever occupation–the […]

Comelec sends notices to 34 poll candidates over illegal campaign posters

(Eagle News) — The Commission on Elections on Thursday, Feb. 14, said it had sent “notices” to over 30 poll candidates for them to take down their campaign posters that violated specific rules. In an interview over radio dzbb, Comelec Commissioner Rowena Guanzon said notices have been sent to 34 candidates who included Larry Gadon, Florin Hilbay, Erin Tanada, Bam Aquino and Sonny Angara. “If they do not take it down, i-presume namin sa Comelec na […]

Wilfredo Keng slams Rappler, Ressa, Santos for “continu(ing) to hold themselves high above any accountability” for “defamatory” article

(Eagle News) — The businessman who filed cyber libel charges against Rappler, its chief executive officer Maria Ressa and former reporter Reynaldo Santos  slammed on Thursday, Feb. 14, the three for “continu(ing) to hold themselves high above any accountability…” for the article that he said defamed him. Speaking for the first time on the issue, Wilfredo Keng, whom Rappler described in the assailed article as a “controversial” businessman possibly linked to “shady deals” and with […]

Wilfredo Keng’s lawyer denies Ressa’s arrest was gov’t oppression; It’s part of “judicial process,” he says

(Eagle News) — The camp of the businessman who filed the cyber libel charges against Rappler’s Maria Ressa on Thursday, Feb. 14, said her arrest was merely part of the “judicial process” and was not at all government oppression as claimed by others. In an interview over radio dzbb, Atty. Joseph Banguis, Wilfredo Keng’s lawyer, said in the first place, the charges were filed by a private person who was “defamed” by the article published […]

US Embassy in PHL closed on Monday, Feb. 18

(Eagle News) — The United States Embassy in Manila will be closed on Monday, Feb. 18. In an advisory, the embassy said its affiliated offices will also be closed in observance of Presidents’ Day an American holiday. The US embassy said it and its affiliated offices will resume operations on Tuesday, Feb. 19. https://youtu.be/bFf51lbgJ2g

Palace warns public vs unscrupulous individuals using Duterte’s name to solicit funds

(Eagle News) — The Palace has warned the public against individuals who solicit funds using President Rodrigo Duterte’s name. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo issued the statement on Wednesday, Feb. 14, after the Office of the President received reports  some unscrupulous individuals were doing this to “solicit or accept campaign funds, contributions or materials in favor of the senatorial candidates (Duterte) has personally endorsed.” “For everyone’s information and guidance, the President has not authorized anyone in either the […]

Robredo says Ressa’s arrest for cyber libel an affront to press freedom; No one is above the law, Palace maintains

(Eagle News)—Vice President Leni Robredo has slammed the arrest of Rappler’s chief executive officer and executive editor Maria Ressa for cyber libel, calling it an affront to press freedom. “Dine-denounce natin in the strongest terms, na sa panahon ngayon, iyong political harassment dahil sa pagpapahayag ng saloobin, dahil sa pagpapahayag ng pangongontra sa ibang mga polisiya, nagiging dahilan para supilin iyong freedom, hindi lang ng members ng media, pero ng mga tao na naglalakas ng […]

Rappler’s Ressa spends night at NBI

(Eagle News)—Rappler’s Maria Ressa spent the night in the National Bureau of Investigation office after she was unable to post bail for the cyber libel case filed against her. Ressa’s camp had attempted to post bail on Wednesday, Feb. 13, but a Pasay court, according to her, refused to accept this because they could not provide the information sheet. Ressa’s camp had questioned the timing of the issuance of the warrant of arrest against her, […]

13 killed in bus accident in North Macedonia: minister

SKOPJE, Macedonia (AFP) — At least 13 people were killed and more than 30 others injured when a passenger bus overturned on a highway in North Macedonia on Wednesday, health minister said. “Thirteen people were killed,” Minister Venko Filipce told reporters. “There are more than 30 injured.” Speaking to AFP, Filipce added that “the number of dead may increase because there are people in surgery and in critical condition” following the accident which happened around […]

Ressa says her arrest is part of admin’s efforts to silence media; It’s just the legal process rolling, Palace maintains

(Eagle News) — Rappler’s Maria Ressa on Wednesday, Feb. 13, maintained her arrest for cyberlibel was only part of the government’s efforts to silence media critical of the administration, an allegation the Palace has vehemently denied. “We are not intimidated,” she said. According to Ressa, “these legal acrobatics show how far the government will go to silence journalists, including the pettiness of forcing me to spend the night in jail.” She was apparently referring to […]

Palace questions anew Facebook’s choice of Rappler as third party fact-checker

(Eagle News) –The Palace on Wednesday, Feb. 13, questioned anew Facebook’s choice of Rappler as its third party fact-checker. In a statement issued after Rappler’s chief executive officer and executive editor Maria Ressa was arrested for cyberlibel, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the Palace found it “ironic” that Facebook, which he said has “transformed into a platform where netizens exercise their right to free speech” and has “resolve in combating disinformation, misinformation and all kinds […]