- Rappler faced closure after the SEC decision.
- Local celebrities tweeted support for Rappler and press freedom.
Several celebrities took to Twitter to air their sentiments regarding Securities and Exchange Commission’s decision on Rappler’s business registration.
On Monday, January 15, SEC released their en banc decision revoking Rappler’s license to operate on the grounds of violating the constitutional provision on foreign ownership of Philippine mass media company.
Rappler has been a steady target of tirades from Malacañang for their critical reporting. No only once did President Duterte blasted the new media company and threatened to be investigated.
With this recent decision, many are speculating that this is a form of harassment and warning to media to stop criticizing the government or they will be silenced.
And that decision also prompted a number of celebrities known to be critical of the Duterte administration to issue support statements for the news website.
Former Batibot host Kuya Bodjie Pascua can’t help but engage a netizen who called him out after his tweet support for Rappler.
Pascua on his tweet encouraged everyone to speak out and defend press freedom.
“Huwag manahimik. Kalayaan ng pagpapahayag itaguyod, ipagtanggol.” he said.
That tweet didn’t seem to go well with one netizen who accused Pascua of having crab mentality.
“You used to be my idol Bodjie Pascua. Oh how I remember your stories during my Batibot days! Kaso hindi na ngayon..hahahah! People like you who find fault in everything this administration is doing is 1 of the main problems bakit di uunlad ang Pinas. #UtakTalangka”
Kuya Bodjie didn’t let it pass and retorted by saying the guy must not have learned the lessons of Batibot.
“Because obviously the messaged of Batibot did not get through your thick skull. Dense.” Pascua replied.
Here are other local celebrities who shared their support for Rappler and press freedom.
“If you think you can get away with it, you are so wrong. Even if you hold the most power. Especially if you hold the most power #DefendPressFreedom” said actress and known Duterte critic Agot Isidro.
“The fourth estate,” tweets Bianca Gonzalez.
“Sobrang tapang ng gobyernong ito. Takot sa isang online news site.” Lourd de Veyra shared.
“#StandWithRappler to decry the muzzling of news media by the Duterte admin! Instead of being accountable and open to criticism, Duterte hides like a coward behind the SEC.”
“#StandWithRappler We have moved closer to dictatorship today. Stand up against oppression. There are no tyrants where there are no slaves.”
“DUTERTE started killing the poor to instill fear. Now they are killing the press to kill our voice. #StandWithRappler”
“I still can’t believe that this time will come. We will fight for press freedom. We will never be silenced. I #StandWithRAPPLER. 
”
“SEC could have ordered @rapplerdotcom to divest shares of alleged foreign funders instead of registration getting revoked #DefendPressFreedom #StandWithRAPPLER”
“What is the government trying to hide by shutting down Rappler? Stories like this? The more you silence the truth, the more it comes back to haunt you. I #standwithrappler and I will share the stories this administration would like you to forget.”
