Now it can be told, the story behind why Rappler reporter in
Ranada was banned in Malacañang.
Yesterday, Malacañang banned Pia Rañada from entering Malacañang
place upon the direct orders from President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. The ban
includes Rappler Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Maria Ressa.
Rañada’s media outfit- Rappler a few months ago has been tagged by the
Securities and Exchange Commission for a violation of foreign ownership rules
as provided in the 1987 Constitution. Rappler has filed its appeal in the Court
of Appeals to reverse the Securities and Exchange Commission's decision
revoking its incorporation papers. *
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| Rappler's Pia Ranada and CEO Maria Ressa (photo credit to owner) |
Rappler immediately released a statement condemning the act
of Malacañang using its power to “obstruct, harass, and evade public scrutiny.”
"It’s another instance of power attempting to intimidate independent journalists," it said.
"The Palace cannot jump the gun in this latest attempt to evade public scrutiny and monopolize the conversation on matters of public interest," it added.
"It is the first time, post-Marcos,
that a duly-elected president has banned particular journalists from entering
the Palace," Rappler said
"Rappler applauds the courage of Pia Ranada to persist
in asking the tough questions that demand clear answers," it added.
Malacañang’s reason
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, clarified the reason
behing the barring of Pia Rañada from Malacañang saying that President Duterte
lost of trust with Rañada.
Roque stressed that aside from the pending appealed case in the Court of Appeals, from which the SEC revoked Rappler’s articles of incorporation, Duterte lost appetite in dealing with Ranada because of the latter’s supposed “fake news” reports.
“Ang Presidente rin ang nag-utos nung alas-dos ng hapon na talagang hindi na pupuwede ang Rappler sa Malacanang, dahil nawalan na ng tiwala ang Presidente nga diyan sa Rappler,” Roque said in an interview.
Roque yesterday said that Ranada can still cover his press briefings at the Palace’s New Executive Building. However, he said after the order became clearer, it appeared that the Rappler reporter can also no longer attend his regular press briefings and may just write about it by watching its livestream. *
“Lilinawin ko lang po, bagama’t hindi na siya pupuwedeng mag-cover sa Malacañang, puwede siyang magsulat, kahit anong gusto niyang isulat, kahit puro ‘fake news’ iyan, kung kaligayahan niya iyan, ituloy niya iyan. Kaya nga po walang paglalabag, walang pagsusupil sa kalayaan ng pamamahayag,” he said.
“Ang hindi lang siya pupuwede ay magkaroon ng access ngayon kay Presidente, dahil buwisit sa kanya ang Presidente.”
Roque explains that the act of the President in barring the reporter is not a suppression of press freedom.
“Nasaan ang pagsupil ng press freedom diyan, meron ba kaming sinensor, meron ba kaming artikulo na hindi pinayagang mapublish?” Roque said.
“Sa totoo lang po kung kami ay nanunupil ng press freedom, di wala na sanang nasulat ang Rappler dahil wala namang mabuting sinusulat iyan tungkol kay Presidente.”
The very loud New York based Human Rights watch said that the ban on Rappler “threatens media freedoms”
"It could portend a broader assault on journalists and news organizations, whose critical watchdog role has magnified the government's poor human rights record," it said in a statement.
Executive Secretary Medialdia to Rappler : Settle issue with SEC
The reason for the banning results from the issue of Rappler with SEC.
“I-cover muna nila ano nila, ayusin muna nila ang kanilang personality as a corporation, local corporation otherwise they cannot [cover] di ba?” Medialdea told reporters.
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