DOJ says Rappler's Maria Ressa and Rey Santos' conviction is the 4th time journalists will be convicted of cyber libel. As per their records, there are 13 cyber libel convictions, three of which involve journalists. @rapplerdotcom
The Integrated Bar of the Philippines questioned why the court imposed a maximum 6 year jailtime for Ressa and Santos, saying that Supreme Court AC 08-2008 nudged courts to impose only fines for libel. AC 08-2008 was only recommendation, still giving judges the discretion.
IBP pres Domingo Egon Cayosa said apellate courts can clarify the interpretation of republication and the now 12-year prescription period of cyber libel – the two most glaring legal issues decided by Manila's Judge Rainelda Estacio Montesa in convicting Ressa and Santos
Retired SC senior assoc justice Antonio Carpio said the 12 year prescription periof for libel is "the overriding issue in" the case. Judge Montesa ruled that cyber libel is a distinct offense from Revised Penal Code libel. Carpio disagrees.
Carpio says FEU Law Dean Mel Sta Maria "powerfully demolishes" Judge Montesa's assertion that cyber libel is a distinct offense from RPC libel. (RPC libel only has 1 year prescription period). Attached is Dean Sta Maria's post: 
In the 2014 decision of the Supreme Court on the Cybercrime Law, the en banc said that cyber libel is “not a new crime but is one already punished under Article 353 (of the Revised Penal Code).”
This argument was already raised in Rappler's motion to quash at the start of trial, but Judge Montesa junked that in April 2019, and again upheld that prescription is 12 years in her final ruling.
Background story: rappler.com/nation/228192-…
Background story: rappler.com/nation/228192-…
