Case involved journalist maria ressa and news outlet rappler, which was accused of tax evasion by the philippine government. the court acquitted both ms ressa and rappler of the charges, with ms ressa saying “today, facts win, truth wins, justice wins” if convicted she would have been jailed up to 34 years. the case began in 2018 and was launched by the government, who had accused ms ressa and rappler of evading tax payments when it raised capital through its partnership with foreign investors.
Case took place in the philippines and began in 2018 when the government revoked rappler’s operating licence, claiming it had violated a clause in the constitution that limits media ownership to philippine citizens. in january 2018, the department of justice said rappler’s issuance of financial instrument had generated taxable income worth 141.86m pesos.
Ressa and rappler denied the charges and said the transactions involved legitimate financial mechanisms. ms ressa, the founder of rappler, was previously convicted of libel and sentenced to up to six years in prison in june 2020. the legal victory marks the end of the case, which was launched under former leader rodrigo duterte. the philippine government had accused ms ressa and rappler of evading tax payments and the department of justice said rappler’s issuance of financial instrument had generated taxable income.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-64313648?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=KARANGA
