‘CERTAINLY NOT’ | Roque denies Ressa’s Nobel Peace Prize a slap to Duterte administration

October 11, 2021 , 03:23 PM

By Beatrice Puente

(October 11, 2021) – After its extended silence, the Malacañang on Monday finally congratulated veteran journalist Maria Ressa for being the first Filipino to win the Nobel Peace Prize but denied once again that press freedom is under siege in the country.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque insisted the prestigious award was “not a slap” in the face of the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte despite the attacks it hurled against Ressa and many other journalists. It was also the first time that Roque spoke about the award which many found odd since the Malacañang was quick to comment on similar accolades in the past.

“It’s a victory for a Filipina and we’re very happy for that kasi wala namang utak-talangka rito sa Malacañang,” said Roque. “It’s not a slap. It was made by private individuals in Norway. We respect their decision.”

Ressa, the chief executive officer of Rappler, shared the honor with Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov “for their efforts to safeguard the freedom of expression.” Ressa was hailed for using journalism as an important tool in exposing abuse of power in the Philippines under Duterte’s rule.

Several groups, lawmakers, and journalists congratulated Ressa and her digital news network for efforts to “hold the line.”

But the message coming from Duterte’s office appeared backhanded as Roque also highlighted the cases against Ressa, calling her “a convicted felon for cyber libel.” Ressa is facing numerous cases ranging from alleged cyber libel to tax evasion which many groups believe were politically motivated.

Ressa has been in the center of Duterte’s tirades numerous times in the past, even threatening to expose her as “a fraud” despite lacking evidence.

“Criminal liability of Ressa remains pending in our courts and we leave it to our courts to decide on her fate. There’s no slap there. As everyone knows, no one has ever been censored in the Philippines,” said Roque, distancing Malacañang from the attacks on the media.

Roque also echoed the controversial statement of national artist F. Sionil Jose who claimed that the franchise denial of ABS-CBN—widely considered an affront to free press—was not a decision coming from Duterte.

Sen. Bato Dela Rosa, the administration’s presidential bet in the 2022 elections, meanwhile, wrongly claimed that no journalist has been jailed under Duterte’s regime, ignoring the case of Frenchie Mae Cumpio in Tacloban.

Cumpio, a reporter for Eastern Vista, has been in jail for nearly two years over alleged illegal possession of firearms. Groups describe it as a trumped-up charge.

Paris-based Reporters Without Borders said the Philippines ranked 138th out of 180 countries in the latest World Press Freedom Index. Some 20 journalists have also died since Duterte rose to power, according to records from media groups, saying the attacks are creating “a chilling effect” on critical reportage. But Roque downplayed this.

“A journalist who claims a chilling effect should not be a journalist,” said Roque, a former human rights lawyer.

(PM | With reports from Maricel Halili and Maeanne Los Baños, News 5)

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