Palace denies hand in summons against Rappler CEO and 2 others

The Malacanang palace on Saturday made known an official denial it has got no hand in the subpoenas issued by the National Bureau of Investigation to online xocial news network publisher Rappler chief executive officer (CEO) Maria Ressa and two others over cybercrime raps, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said on Saturday.

Ressa, including former Rappler reporter Reynaldo Santos Jr. and businessman Benjamin Bitanga were ordered to appear before the NBI’s Cybercrime Division on Jan. 22 over a complaint filed by President and CEO of Century Peak Metals Holdings Corporation Wilfredo Keng.

Keng accused the three of violating Republic Act 10175 or the “Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012” in relation to the article “CJ using SUVs of ‘controversial’ businessmen” that Santos wrote and the news site published on May 29, 2012.

Earlier, the SEC revoked the operating license of the digital media company, questioning its corporate deal with foreign investor Omidyar Network.

Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II directed the NBI to investigate the media outfit over possible violation of the Constitution and other laws. (PNA)

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