Di pa tapos ang laban! Chel Diokno to help Ressa appeal on cyber libel conviction: May motion for reconsideration at appeal pa

Larawan mula sa Twitter

Former otso deretso senatorial candidate and free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) chairman and human rightslawyer Chel Diokno announced on Monday, June 15 pledged to fight the cyber libel conviction of Rappler CEO Ressa and her former researcher-writer Reynaldo Santos Jr.

In Diokno’s latest social media post, he vowed to continue to fight and overcome this situation, “The case is far from over,”

“May motion for reconsideration at appeal pa, kaya di pa tapos ang laban,” Diokno explained.

In other words, Ressa’s legal counsel Theodore Te, of FLAG Metro Manila coordinator, can still file a motion before the Manila court to reverse the conviction.

In case they were denied, Atty. Te can still file appeals before the Court of Appeals (CA) and subsequently the Supreme Court (SC) if needed.

“Ituloy natin ang pagtutok sa kasong ito at patuloy tayo magsalita ng katotohanan sa mga nasa kapangyarihan,” Diokno declared.

Rappler CEO and executive editor Maria Ressa and former Rappler researcher-writer Reynaldo Santos Jr has been found guilty over cyber libel charges in a high-profile verdict handed down Monday, June 15 a the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 46.

Both Ressa and Santos Jr., were out on bail under the same bond. They have each been ordered to pay P200,000 in moral damages and another P200,000 in exemplary damages. Once the verdict becomes final, they will each have to pay a total of P400,000 in damages.

Judge Rainelda Estacio Montesa ruled that only Ressa and Santos are guilty of cyber libel charges. Rappler Inc was initially charged in the suit.

The court sentenced Ressa and Santos to a minimum of 6 months and 1 day to a maximum of 6 years in jail over charges filed by businessman Wilfredo Keng in a case that tested the 8-year-old Philippine cybercrime law.

The two accused have been found guilty of a cyber-libel case filed by a businessman Wilfredo Keng, against the May 29, 2012 article published by Rappler and written by Santos titled “CJ Using SUVs of Controversial Businessman” which reported that then Chief Justice Renato Corona, who was facing an impeachment trial at that time was found using a 2011 Chevrolet Suburban registered to Keng.

A writer for the site, Rappler, was also convicted. Both have been released on bail pending appeal - but could face six years in prison.