On Friday, Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 46 denied Rappler’s CEO Maria Ressa’s motion for partial reconsideration seeking to reverse their cyber libel conviction.
Judge Rainelda Estacio-Montesa dismissed the appeal noting that there was no new arguments presented on the matters of republication, the liability and non-presentation of Ressa and Santos, and the damages suffered by private complainant Wilfredo Keng.
“After a careful evaluation of the arguments of the parties, as well as the records of this case, the Court finds that Motion for Partial Reconsideration should be DENIED for lack of merit.”
“This court finds that there is no cogent or compelling reason to reconsider its Decision dated June 15, 2020,” read the order, dated Friday.
Ressa and former Rappler researcher Reynaldo Santos Jr. may proceed to the Court of Appeals for a review of the said cyber libel case.
