(Eagle News)–A Manila court has granted the motion for leave of court of Rappler and its editor-in-chief Maria Ressa and former reporter Reynaldo Santos so they could file a motion to dismiss the case filed against them by businessman Wilfredo Keng.
Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 46 Judge Rainelda Estacio-Montesa gave the accused ten days from today, Tuesday, Oct. 8, within which to file their demurrer to evidence against the cyber libel charges, which stem from a Rappler article titled “CJ using SUVs of ‘controversial’ businessmen'” published in May 2012 and edited in 2014.
The article had linked the complainant to illegal drugs and human trafficking, citing an “intelligence report.”
The prosecution was also given ten days from receipt of the demurrer to evidence within which to file its its comment.
“Thereafter, the same will be deemed submitted for resolution,” the judge said.
