Ressa arraigned on cyber libel raps

FILE: Ressa, along with managing editor Glenda Gloria and five other members of Rappler’s 2016 board Manuel Ayala, James Bitanga, Nico Jose Nolledo, James Velasquez, and Felicia Atienza, were charged for allegedly violating the Anti-Dummy Law. (File photo: NAIA Media Affairs Division via PNA)

MANILA — The arraignment of Rappler executive editor and CEO Maria Ressa and writer Reynaldo Santos Jr. for cyber libel proceeded on Tuesday.

A plea of not guilty on behalf of the two accused was ordered entered into the records by the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) after Ressa and Santos declined to enter a plea.

The arraignment proceeded after Judge Rainelda Estacio-Montessa of the Manila RTC Branch 46 refused to dismiss the case.

In its order dated April 12, the court ruled that online publishers could be sued within 12 years of the publication of an allegedly libelous report.

The suit was filed by a businessman named by Rappler as being the owner of a sports utility vehicle (SUV) used by the late Chief Justice Renato Corona, who had been subjected to impeachment proceedings during the last administration.