Nobel laureate Maria Ressa cleared of Philippine tax case

Philippine Nobel laureate Maria Ressa and her news website Rappler were acquitted of tax evasion charges by a court on Wednesday, in a decision media regulators and human rights groups have described as a victory for the freedom of the press and the rule of law.

Ressa, who was jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize with a Russian journalist in 2021, heads Rappler, which has earned a reputation for its detailed reporting and close scrutiny of former President Rodrigo Duterte and his deadly war on drugs.

“This acquittal is not just for Rappler, it’s for every Filipino who has ever been falsely accused,” Ressa said after the verdict, describing it as a victory for justice and truth.

“These allegations… were politically motivated… A blatant abuse of power,” she said emotionally.

The tax evasion case stemmed from allegations by the state IRS that Rappler withheld from his tax returns the proceeds of a 2015 sale of depositary receipts to foreign investors, which later became the basis of the regulator of titles to revoke your license.

The tax court said in its ruling that it acquitted Ressa and Rappler because the prosecution was unable to prove their guilt.

The Philippine Justice Department said it respected the court’s decision.

Ressa, 59, is currently on bail as he appeals a six-year prison sentence handed down in 2020 for defamation.

Since 2018, he has battled a series of government lawsuits, which he describes as part of a harassment pattern.

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Source: Terra

Camila

Camila Luna is a writer at Gossipify, where she covers the latest movies and television series. With a passion for all things entertainment, Camila brings her unique perspective to her writing and offers readers an inside look at the industry. Camila is a graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a degree in English and is also a avid movie watcher.