Thread by @rapplerdotcom

Rappler CEO @mariaressa and lawyer Francis Lim hold a press briefing on SEC decision. #DefendPressFreedom #CourageON #HoldTheLine

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@mariaressa Lim: With due respect with our friends in the SEC, we disagree with the decision. Fortunately for us, we have legal remedies available.... At the end of the day, we shall prevail.

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@mariaressa “It’s not the end of the world for us." Lim says Rappler can still appeal up to the Supreme Court.

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@mariaressa Lim says Rappler is prepared to exhaust all legal remedies, and says it has "long line of cases" to contest SEC's findings. | via @lianbuan

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.@nytimes asks if there are legal consequences for Ressa, Rappler journalists as they continue operations.

Lim: We believe in the rule of law, we will never advise Rappler to ignore an order, in no way we will defy. We have recourse to the court.

@nytimes Can SEC implement shutdown while Rappler go to the court?

Lim: "That's a possibility, but based on our study, they cannot while we appeal." | via @lianbuan

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@nytimes @lianbuan Lim on SEC decision: It was highly irregular because we were not given due process during the evaluation phase.

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@nytimes @lianbuan Lim says Rappler should have been given ‘day in court before SEC decided this particular case.’

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@nytimes @lianbuan Lim says Rappler filed a manifestation to the Supreme Court beforehand telling the High Court it the CA decision cannot attain finality without going over first the SEC's succeeding findings on effect of Omidyar donation. "We anticipated this," says Lim.

@nytimes @lianbuan For context, the CA in 2018 said when Omidyar donated PDRs to Rappler's Filipino manager, it "appeared to have removed the problem." SEC in succeeding findings said donation did not cure problem. Lim says CA must go over that first. | @lianbuan

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@nytimes @lianbuan How is the mood inside Rappler?

.@mariaressa: We've gone through this before, we have plans A-Z.

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@nytimes @lianbuan @mariaressa .@mariaressa: Our goal is to continue holding the line, we're not gonna voluntarily give up our rights, and we really shouldn't. The mood is stunned. | via @lianbuan

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@nytimes @lianbuan @mariaressa @mariaressa: We must continue to do our job. Our reporters, we continue to hold the line. We continue to report, and we'll continue to demand. I appeal to journalists in the Philippines, around the world that we hold our rights together.

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.@mariaressa: We will continue to demand accreditation, but put in context of blocking of websites last week, we will continue to challenge this. We will continue to demand access for all journalists. Let's hold our rights. | via @lianbuan

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@mariaressa @lianbuan .@mariaressa: We can only hope for the best. Given the track record of the campaign, given the track record of 36 years, I think the burden of proof is actually on the incoming admin. I continue to appeal to the incoming admin: Work with journalists. We’re not your enemies.

@mariaressa @lianbuan The order of the SEC mentions a September 2019 resolution by the Supreme Court declaring case closed and terminated. Lim says the SC in that resolution was not referring to the CA decision, and it's in their view that the case is not final, and the recourse remains open.

@mariaressa @lianbuan Can SEC physically close Rappler while appeals roll?

Lim: We've tried to anticipate all situations. The SEC – they're reasonable persons. We can disagree on particular issues, but at the end of the day, the SEC also works for the good of the country.

@mariaressa @lianbuan .@mariaressa on social media attacks against Rappler: These things are meant to take you out. What does it do? When you see the data, whatever it is you fear or whatever insecurity you have...you learn to become stronger.

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@mariaressa @lianbuan .@mariaressa on younger journalists having to get accustomed to online attacks, harassment: This is not normal. This is impunity.

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.@mariaressa: What we do today will determine the kind of democracy we have, the kind of future we have.

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