The string of charges against the former CNN journalist have been widely criticized as an attack on press freedom after her news outfit published stories critical of the Duterte administration, including its drug war that has left thousands of suspects dead.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 22) — Embattled journalist and Rappler CEO Maria Ressa said she pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to tax evasion, one of five tax-related cases against her.
Ressa, entered her plea at the Pasig Regional Trial Court Branch 157, where she was charged for giving incorrect information on Rappler’s VAT return in 2015 and for not paying over ₱200,000 in taxes, according to Rappler.
Ressa said during the hearing, the Department of Justice and the Bureau of Internal Revenue asked to amend the charge against her to include Rappler Holdings Corporation, which the judge accepted.
She questioned the timing of the amendment, which was right before her arraignment even though the case was filed two years ago.
CNN Philippines is waiting for response to its request comment from DOJ and BIR.
Just last month, Ressa — one of Time magazine’s Persons of the Year in 2018 — was convicted for cyber libel along with a former Rappler staffer. She was slapped with another cyber libel charge the same month.
“The information or the charge sheet for the criminal charge for the five tax evasion charges was written in such a hasty manner that they forgot to put the company, they only included the target individual, Maria Ressa,” she told reporters. “I can only laugh.”
The court has since allowed Ressa to remain free on bail.
Ressa has accused the Duterte government of abusing its power and using the law to silence independent media.
