A college professor filed a libel case against Rappler CEO Maria Ressa over an article of alleged “thesis for sale” at the De La Salle – College of St. Benilde.
In the article, Benilde professor Ariel Pineda allegedly passed his students in their thesis project in exchange for P20,000.
The article said Pineda is a “well-known” professor in the Export Management Program and is also a program director.
Rappler reporter Rambo Talabong, who wrote the article, was also charged with cyber libel. Maria Ressa was facing charges as the Executive Editor, a position she gave up after she was convicted on her first cyber libel case in June 2020.
Their lawyer Theodore Te said Ressa and Talabong have posted P30,000 bail.
The cyber libel case was dated December 7, 2020, and was filed before the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 24.
According to the information, the Rappler article contained “false, malicious, derogatory and highly libelous imputation as well as offensive insinuations against the good name, character, and reputation” of Pineda.
However, Talabong and Rappler maintained their stories.
“I spent weeks reporting and weeks more doing everything to ensure that the story is fair,” said Talabong.
Maria Ressa faces third cyber libel case over ‘thesis for sale’ article
Lawyer Te was concerned that cyber libel has now become the first option for those who disagree with a news report.
“That is the problem with libel and cyber libel laws which make these acts criminal — a private dispute becomes a public offense where the government gets involved. As a result, the implications on freedom of expression and the press are significant,” said Te, a former spokesman of the Supreme Court.
“We reiterate the multi-sectoral call to decriminalize libel and to stop these relentless attacks against journalists who, despite obstacles thrown their way, continue to shine the light on the pandemic and other forms of everyday terror,” Rappler said.
“No journalist should be intimidated for doing their job,” added Talabong.
The arraignment is set for February 4.
Maria Ressa and former Rappler researcher Reynaldo Santos Jr. are currently appealing their conviction for cyber libel over a 2012 article linking businessman Wilfredo Keng to alleged shady deals.