MANILA, Philippines — Rappler chief executive officer Maria Ressa should just face “head-on” the lower court’s decision to convict her of cyber libel. The private individual who Ms. Ressa besmirched simply exercised his right against abusive persons who wield power and influence, including journalists like Maria Ressa,” Roque said in a statement. Thus, I advise Ms. Ressa to just face the complaint/decision head-on,” he added. “The sentiments of Maria Ressa are understandable given her present state of mind as a result of the guilty verdict handed down by a Manila trial court,” Roque said. Keng filed the cyber libel complaint in 2017, a few years after the article was first posted and three years after it was re-posted to correct a typographical error.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer June 16, 2020 08:15 UTC