Philippines: Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa acquitted of tax evasion

Filipino journalist Maria Ressa after a court ruling in Quezon City, the Philippines, Wednesday, January 18, 2023. AP - Basilio Sepe

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The 59-year-old veteran journalist has been one of the most vocal critics of former President Rodrigo Duterte, in power from 2016 to 2022, and his violent methods in the war on drugs.

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It's only a stage victory for

Maria Ressa

, who has been fighting for years to avoid prison.

The journalist still faces three other criminal cases, including a cybercrime charge for which she faces nearly seven years in prison.

Lawsuits emblematic of the harassment suffered by the independent press in the country. 

On Wednesday, however, Filipino Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa and her online news site Rappler were acquitted of tax evasion.

The Tax Court said prosecutors failed to provide evidence "

beyond a reasonable doubt

" of tax evasion.

The former CNN reporter and the Rappler site, which she co-founded, were accused of providing erroneous information in a tax return following a sale of bonds to foreign investors in 2015.

Today, the facts prevail.

The truth prevails

,” said Maria Ressa, with tears in her eyes, defiantly to the press, after the decision handed down by the Manila Court of Appeal. 

A reverse decision would have had serious consequences for the press and the capital markets

,” Rappler wrote in a statement, adding that the site would continue to “

stand its

ground ” on freedom of information. 

Politically motivated accusations

“These accusations were politically motivated,” added the journalist on Wednesday.

"

We were able to prove that Rappler is not a tax cheat

."

The 59-year-old veteran journalist, who also has US citizenship, was one of the most vocal critics of former President Rodrigo Duterte, in power from 2016 to 2022, and his violent methods in the war on drugs.

Asked about the meaning of the decision rendered by the Court of Appeal, Maria Ressa replied: “

Hope.

That's what it provides

."

(

With

AFP) 

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