STATEMENT OF SENATOR RICHARD J. GORDON ON THE SEC'S RESOLUTION REVOKING RAPPLER'S CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

I would like to commend the Securities and Exchange Commission for enforcing the constitutional clause on media ownership in our country. It shows that no one is exempt and has special privilege in our justice system. However, the SEC should be ready to present convincing and factual evidence to back its ruling on Rappler because the Freedom of the Press is sacrosanct in every democracy. The Freedom of the Press is our insurance that we have a clear and transparent society.

If the media outlet is guilty of the alleged foreign ownership percentage claim, it should be done with due process and give Rappler a chance to prove the accusation as incorrect. The legal actions should proceed with fairness, otherwise it may be construed as an affront to the guaranteed right of freedom of the press. Furthermore, it can trigger a "chilling effect" to all media practitioners to fear government reprisals when criticized. I also want to take this opportunity to appeal to our media friends to be as objective as possible in their reporting to remove doubts that there are biases and opinionated views in their midst. Stay vigilant in checking government's wrongdoings but we should adhere to the ethical standards of true journalism that we always cherish.

The SEC should also explain why they came up with the decision only now since Rappler's registration was approved on Jan. 1 2012. On the other hand, Rappler should also explain and reveal on record the paper trail of its investors along those years.