Maria Ressa to Guevarra: ‘I have the right to hold you accountable’
Credit to Author: jespinosa| Date: Thu, 14 Feb 2019 06:18:19 +0000
MANILA, Philippines — Rappler chief executive Maria Ressa retaliated at Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Thursday, saying she has the right to hold him accountable for the cyber libel case filed against her.
“You don’t want to be known as the Secretary of Injustice. I also have the right to hold you accountable,” Ressa told reporters after posting bail on her cyber libel charge.
Ressa was reacting to Department of Justice (DOJ)’s approval of a cyber libel charge filed against her and Rappler’s reporter Reynaldo Santos Jr.
The case stemmed from the complaint filed by businessman Wilfredo Keng, who was the subject of an article titled “CJ using SUVs of controversial businessman” — “CJ” referring to then Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona, who was then under an impeachment trial.
Ressa was arrested on Wednesday by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) following the arrest warrant of Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 46.
Ressa then defended her human rights amid the several charges filed against her.
“I am a citizen of this country and you can’t violate my rights,” Ressa added.
Ressa posted a P100,000 bail on Thursday before the Manila RTC Branch 46. /je