Rappler seeks Supreme Court relief over Palace coverage ban

MANILA, Philippines — Online news website Rappler yesterday asked the Supreme Court (SC) to order the Office of the President (OP), Presidential Security Group (PSG) and other government offices not to prevent the agency and its reporters from covering President Duterte’s public events. 

The petitioners who filed the 75-page petition for certiorari and prohibition were Rappler reporters Patricia Marie Ranada, Mara Alyssabel Cepeda, Raymon Dullana, Franklin Cimatu, Mauricio Victa, Camille Kristina Elemia, Ralf Martin Rivas, Baltazar Espinosa Lagsa and Rappler Inc. 

Named respondents in the case were the OP, Office of the Executive Secretary, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO), Media Accreditation Registration Office (MARO) and the PSG. 

Rappler and its reporters asked the high court to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) and/or status quo ante and/or writ of preliminary injunction against the respondents. 

Malacañang said Rappler is free to question the coverage ban before the court. 

“It’s a free country. We do not interfere with the judiciary,” presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a text message. 

The petitioners also asked that their access to newsworthy events where the President or other officers of the executive branch would be present be restored. Also, for the respondents to “cease and desist from preventing petitioners Rappler and its affiliated journalists from covering, witnessing and/or attending newsworthy events held in places throughout the Philippines.”

The petitioners said the ban violates constitutional guarantees of press freedom, free speech, due process and equal protection. The ban is also tantamount to prior restraint which is prohibited by the Constitution.

Last Jan. 11, 2018, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) revoked Rappler’s Certificate of Incorporation. The following day, Duterte branded them as a fake news outlet.

By Feb. 20, 2018, the respondents started banning Rappler and its affiliated journalists from covering the President and his political party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan Party (PDP-Laban), including those held in public places. 

Beginning that day, Rappler’s Malacañang reporter Ranada was not allowed to enter the New Executive Building where the press briefing of then presidential spokesman Harry Roque was held. The press working area is also located in the building.

Duterte on March 1, 2018, issued an open-ended order banning Rappler: “You’re investigating us, fact-finding, well, sorry, do not f*** with me. That is my order. Do not talk to people who will produce lies out of your statements and who can twist it forever to the angle that they would like it to.”

Other correspondents and journalists of Rappler have also experienced being banned from physically attending and covering public events where Duterte would be present. 

“Petitioners are not persons who one day woke up and decided to proclaim themselves as journalists. Petitioner Rappler is made up of respected investigative journalists. They have decades of reporting experience and have conducted several important exposés involving public officials. They have won numerous local and international awards in journalism and teach in respected schools and colleges. Individual petitioners are news journalists taught by experienced and senior investigative journalists. Their status has been confirmed by the recognition of local and international press organizations. Thus, as far as the Constitution, Republic Act No. 4363 and Presidential Decree No. 576, as amended, are concerned, the conclusive fact is that they are journalists worthy of constitutional protection as part of their free press,” petitioners said.        –  With Alexis Romero