Good Morning Judge: The RAPPLER issue

The revocation by the Securities and Exchange Commission of the license to operate granted to Rappler, a social online news network, has sent chilling effects on media practitioners in the country. SEC pointed to alleged foreign investors behind the network who purportedly control the corporation. Under Philippine laws, corporations engaged in media operations should be one hundred percent (100%) Filipino, unlike other commercial corporations whose incorporators should be at least 60% Filipino, while 40% maybe foreigners. As of this writing, Rappler has reportedly filed a Motion for Reconsideration of the SEC order and may eventually elevate the appeal to the Court of Appeals, and later to the Supreme Court in the case of an adverse ruling by the Court of Appeals. In the meantime, some observers suspect that President Rodrigo Duterte is behind this move taken by SEC, in the light of frequent adverse news reports of Rappler on the Duterte administration. This was, however, denied by Malacanang through Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque. The SEC Chairman also denied the allegation, saying that nobody can dictate on him. * * * After an eruption lull for so many years, beautiful Mt. Mayon has once again shown its fury when it began to erupt a few days ago, spewing lava and mudflow which cascaded down its shoulders. Television footages also showed red-hot boulders being spewed out. Viewed at night, the sight is beautiful to behold, with its cascading lava, flying golden boulders and mudflow. Years back, when the same eruption occured, I remember having brought my family to Camalig, Albay to witness the eruption. I will not wonder if tourists once again flock to the Province of Albay because of this phenomenon. Our heart goes out to those who have been displaced from their homes, which has risen to more than 5,000 families, and school children whose classes have been disrupted. QUOTATION OF THE WEEK: “I MAY NOT AGREE WITH WHAT YOU SAY, BUT I WILL DEFEND TO DEATH YOUR RIGHT TO SAY IT.” Evelyn Beatrice Hall FOR OUR WORD OF LIFE: “NO ONE HAS EVER IMAGINED WHAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM” 1 Cor 2:9