Spokesman Salvador Panelo claims Duterte had nothing to do with arrest

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte should not be dragged into the arrest of Rappler founder and chief executive officer Maria Ressa in connection with a cyber libel case filed against her by a businessman, Malacañang said yesterday.

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo accused Ressa of making “a mountain out of a mole cave,” noting she was not even locked up at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) detention cell but allowed to stay overnight  in an office.

“Katunayan, sa tingin ko nga kay Maria, mukhang she’s enjoying it, she’s been smiling all the while,” Panelo said in an interview over dzMM.

Panelo also downplayed criticisms that the arrest warrant was issued after office hours, which rendered Ressa unable to post bail at once, and that Rappler is being politically persecuted.

“There are as many opinions as there are lawyers,” Panelo said, as he insisted that Duterte, who has been the subject of critical reports by Rappler, did not influence the case filed by a private citizen at a Manila regional trial court.

“We should all be accountable for what we do. But precisely, the Constitution gives you the presumption of innocence to give you the chance to destroy the case against you,” he said.

In a statement late Wednesday, Panelo maintained that the case against Ressa is not about the issue of freedom of the press or of expression but Ressa’s “probable violation of the country’s laws.”

Panelo said the administration has always respected the judiciary and refrained from interfering in its affairs.

The warrant of arrest from Branch 46 of the Manila regional trial court, Panelo said, was issued against Ressa based on a finding of probable cause. 

“Ms. Ressa should, in fact, welcome this as an opportunity to defend herself and be heard before the court of law,” he said.

“We are a country of laws and every citizen must adhere to the rule of law. No one is above the law, not even high profile self-anointed crusading journalists. Whatever the outcome is, it must be respected by everyone for such is the law. This is how the rule of law works,” Panelo said.

DOJ defends case

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra also said Ressa’s arrest was not peculiar and cannot be considered as an affront to press freedom, saying “anyone who breaks the law shall be prosecuted.”

Guevarra vehemently denied the allegation of Ressa and her supporters that her indictment and arrest were meant to harass and intimidate Rappler over its persistent critical reports on the Duterte administration by “weaponizing the law.”

“The DOJ will not file charges for the purpose of harassing journalists. Not under my watch,” he said.

Contrary to Ressa’s statements, Guevarra said the journalist was given due process as she was given chance to refute the charges during earlier preliminary investigation conducted by the DOJ on the complaint filed against her. 

“I assure her constitutional and legal rights will be respected, and I trust that the court will give her a fair trial, based solely on the facts and the law, and not on arguments ad hominem and emotional rhetoric,” he pointed out.

Guevarra explained that Ressa’s camp could have actually prevented her arrest if they really wanted to.

“The arrest of Ms. Ressa is simply procedural. She may post bail anytime – even before the warrant was served. There is no breaking of rule of law. We are following criminal procedures here,” he suggested.

The DOJ chief believed that Ressa’s arrest was a result of negligence on her part.

“It is Ms. Ressa’s responsibility to monitor her own cases closely,” he commented when asked to comment on Ressa’s claims.

Asked about the claim of Rappler that an NBI agent prevented its reporter from recording the arrest of Ressa inside their office in Pasig City, Guevarra said there was nothing illegal with recording the incident “unless the media interferes with the orderly conduct of the arrest.”

He also advised the media to “give enough space for law enforcers to do their job smoothly and efficiently.”

Senatorial bets of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) urged Ressa to respect and follow the rule of law as they do not see any political persecution behind her arrest.  

Former Philippine National Police chief Ronald dela Rosa said Ressa should face the case because the arrest was not “arbitrary” or “illegal.”

PDP-Laban chairman and re-electionist Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III also said Ressa’s arrest underwent legal proceedings. – With Edu Punay, Robertzon Ramirez