A Pasig court on Tuesday, September 12, acquitted Rappler Holdings Corp. (RHC) co-founder and Philippine Nobel laureate Maria Ressa in her fifth and final tax evasion charge after four years and 10 months of trial.
She confirmed the acquittal when asked by a reporter on what was the verdict of the Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 157 on her case.
"Acquitted," Ressa responded with a big smile on her face.
BREAKING: Philippine trial court acquits Maria Ressa in 5th and final tax evasion case. pic.twitter.com/7Mw1ZBp90j
— Barnaby Lo 吳宗鴻 (@barnabychuck) September 12, 2023
The Nobel Peace Prize winner's latest acquittal marks the end of the five counts of tax evasion charges filed against her and Rappler during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte in November 2018.
In early January this year, the Court of Tax Appeal (CTA) First Division cleared Ressa from four counts of tax evasion charges.
Based on the CTA First Division's decision, the "prosecutors failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt" that Ressa and RHC evaded tax payments.
In a statement, Rappler regarded the acquittal as a victory for "everyone who has kept the faith that a free and responsible press empowers communities and strengthens democracy."
"We share this with our colleagues in the industry who have been besieged by relentless online attacks, unjust arrests and detentions, and red-tagging that have resulted in physical harm," it said.
"We share this with Filipinos doing business for social good but who, like us, have suffered at the hands of oppressive governments," Rappler added.
