THE arrest of Maria Ressa, chief of news site Rappler, proves that due process is being observed in the country, Malacañang said Friday, March 29.
Ressa earlier decried "violations of the Bill of Rights and the Philippine Constitution" when she was ordered arrested for alleged violation of the Anti-Dummy Law.
But Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, speaking to Palace reporters, said there was a probable cause to issue an arrest warrant on the Rappler chief.
"She is complaining again that she is being arrested. All are equal before the law. She wants to be treated differently. That cannot be done. All warrants of arrest issued by competent courts are to be served the way it was served to her this morning," he said.
"And warrants of arrests are not issued unless the courts’ judges determine there is a probable cause, which means due process has been observed. So she cannot be complaining that this is again a violation of press freedom. Press freedom has nothing to do with the charges against Ms Ressa," he added.
A warrant of arrest, issued by the Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 265, was served the moment Ressa arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City past 6 a.m. Friday, March 29.
Ressa was released on Friday noon, March 29, after posting P90,000 bail.
Ressa, along with six other Rappler executives, have been indicted for allegedly violating the Anti-Dummy Law when they allowed a foreign firm to intervene in the management and operation of Rappler Inc. and Rappler Holdings Corp.
Under the Anti-Dummy Law, foreigners are prohibited from intervening in the management, operation, administration, or control of any nationalized activity in the Philippines.
Ressa branded her arrest, the second in more than a month, as "harassment."
Panelo, however, maintained that Ressa's arrest was not an affront to press freedom.
"She’s charged of a crime and there is a determination of probable cause, hence a warrant of arrest has been issued. She should concentrate on defending herself in court. She cannot be always using the freedom of the press as an excuse to attack the administration," he said.
"How can it be a violation of bill of rights? When she was charged, there was a preliminary investigation on that... And there is such a determination of probable cause. So due process has been observed," Panelo added.
In February, Ressa was arrested at Rappler's headquarters in Pasig City over cyber libel charges. She was freed after overnight detention upon posting P100,000 bail. (SunStar Philippines)