The Makati Business Club (MBC) on Thursday called on the Duterte administration to uphold the freedom of the press following the arrest of Rappler CEO Maria Ressa over a retroactive cyberlibel case.
“The Makati Business Club expresses its concern about the arrest of Rappler CEO Maria Ressa on February 13, 2019. Especially while there are questions about whether the law is applicable, we believe the authorities should err on the side of the freedom of the press that is a bedrock of all our rights and liberty,” the MBC said in a statement, which comes a week after Ressa’s arrest and overnight detention before posting bail.
Ressa is facing a cyberlibel charge over a 2012 article accusing businessman Wilfredo Keng of lending his vehicle to the late former Chief Justice Renato Corona.
The MBC said the government should always uphold the freedom of the press, and argued this is a cornerstone of any democracy.
“A brave and free press is an ally in the fight against corruption that we and the government espouse in order to encourage investment badly needed to generate employment and wealth creation that is truly inclusive,” it said.
The MBC’s statement in support of press freedom is the first from any business group in the country. ###