The Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) has recommended to the Supreme Court of the Philippines the acquittal of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa and former Rappler reporter Reynaldo Santos Jr. in the cyber libel case for which they were convicted in 2020.
The case stemmed from a 2012 Rappler article alleging that businessman Wilfredo Keng lent a vehicle to the late Chief Justice Renato Corona, while also citing intelligence reports linking Keng to alleged illegal activities. Keng filed a complaint in 2017, leading to cyber libel charges in 2019.
In a manifestation and motion submitted to the high court, the OSG said its role is not limited to pursuing convictions but also to ensuring just and legally correct outcomes.
“As the People’s Tribune, the OSG’s mandate in criminal proceedings is not confined to seeking convictions. It includes assisting the courts in arriving at a just and legally correct disposition, grounded on the Constitution, statutes, and controlling jurisprudence even, and especially when, the law requires acquittal,” the OSG stated.
Prescription Period Argument
The OSG argued that the cyber libel charge had already prescribed, citing Articles 90 and 91 of the Revised Penal Code.
It pointed to a 2024 Supreme Court ruling clarifying that cyber libel prescribes in one year.
“Prescription is the legal time limit within which a criminal information must be filed. Once that period lapses, the State can no longer prosecute. The rule promotes diligence in prosecution and protects individuals from the inequity of defending against stale charges and the threat of perpetual prosecution,” the OSG explained.
Awaiting Supreme Court Decision
The OSG emphasized respect for judicial independence and said it will abide by whatever final ruling the Supreme Court issues.
The recommendation marks a significant development in a case that has drawn international attention, particularly given Ressa’s recognition as a Nobel Peace Prize laureate for her work defending press freedom.