QUEZON CITY, Philippines (Eagle News) — Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque denied that the Duterte administration influenced the decision of the Securities and Exchange Commission in revoking Rappler’s registration.
“He had nothing to do with this decision. He was not even aware that this decision was coming up,” Roque said.
Roque also said that the commissioners of the SEC were all appointees of former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.
“It’s [a decision made] by individuals who were not his appointees. He could not control the majority of the commissioners,” said Roque.
Roque also noted that the SEC’s decision revoking Rappler’s Certificate of Incorporation because of violations on the Constitutional requirement that Philippine mass media be 100% be owned by Filipinos, showed that no one is above the law.
“The Constitution sets restrictions on the ownership and management of mass media entities to which all must abide,” he said.
Roque said that the SEC is “mandated among others to regulate the corporate sector.”
“The issue at hand is the compliance of 100% Filipino ownership and management of mass media. It is not about infringement on the freedom of the press,” he said.
“No one is above the law. Rappler has to comply,” he added.
(Eagle News Service)
