The Philippine Supreme Court closes case seeking to shut down Maria Ressa’s news organisation Rappler
Almost a decade after the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) initiated spurious proceedings against Maria Ressa’s news organisation Rappler, the Philippine Supreme Court has issued a final decision ending the SEC’s efforts to shut down the independent news outlet. The decision dated 20 January 2026, of which Rappler was notified on 24 March 2026, followed the Solicitor General’s move to withdraw its further challenge to earlier Appeal Court rulings in Rappler’s favour.
Amal Clooney of Doughty Street Chambers and Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC lead the international legal team representing journalist and Nobel Laureate Maria Ressa.
Commenting on the case, Amal Clooney said:
“This is an important victory for Maria Ressa and journalists across the Philippines. I welcome the position taken by the Solicitor General in this case and the court rulings recognizing the paramount importance of the press in a free society. I hope the courts will resolve the remaining cases against Maria in line with these same values.”
Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC said:
“This is a significant and welcome victory for our client, Maria Ressa, and for Rappler, following a legal battle stretching for almost a decade. This should be a pivot point for Maria, Rappler, and for press freedom and the rule of law in the Philippines. We hope this positive direction of travel will continue as the remaining cases against Maria reach resolution.”
Background
The SEC first instituted proceedings against Rappler in 2017, alleging that by issuing so-called Philippine Depository Receipts (PDRs) to secure investment from an American philanthropic fund in 2015, it had violated a legal prohibition on foreign ownership of media organisations. In January 2018, the SEC revoked Rappler’s certificate of incorporation, effectively ordering its closure, though this was suspended pending Rappler’s legal challenge. The SEC reaffirmed this decision in June 2022, after it was ordered by the Court of Appeals to review its decision in light of the investor’s supervening donation of the PDRs to Rappler staff.
In July 2024, the Court of Appeals overturned the SEC’s order and confirmed that Rappler is “wholly owned and managed by Filipinos, in compliance with the Constitutional mandate”. It noted that even the SEC itself had “found nothing illegal” in the issuance of PDRs. The Court criticised the SEC’s flagrant violation of due process rules, holding that it “plowed through law and jurisprudence to reach its mark – the death of Rappler”, and that the SEC’s actions “have no place in a democratic state.”
The SEC’s subsequent challenge was rejected in July 2025 for lack of merit. In its ruling, the Court of Appeals held that the SEC’s action “exceeds even the threshold of grave abuse of discretion” and highlighted its “bias” against Rappler, noting that it has reached its conclusion that Rappler was foreign-influenced “[w]ithout evidence”. Emphasising the broader stakes, the Court of Appeals warned that “[t]o allow the unjustified death of one news outlet would create a crack in the armor of the Constitutional right to freedom of the press. Far too often, a crack is all it takes for liberties to crumble. It is the duty of the courts to be unyielding, to not give a single inch from which oppression could take a foothold, and to ensure no voice shall be hushed.”
The proceedings have now been definitively terminated following the withdrawal of the Solicitor General’s request for additional time to challenge the Court of Appeals’ July 2025 decision before the Supreme Court.
Ongoing criminal proceedings still expose Ms Ressa to decades in prison
This outcome marks a significant milestone. However, Ms Ressa still faces other proceedings, brought against her as part of a state-sponsored campaign of harassment initiated by the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte. Together, these cases expose her to decades in prison.
Ms Ressa remains convicted of “cyberlibel” and is currently on bail awaiting a final decision by the Philippine Supreme Court. If the conviction is upheld, she will be arrested and face a prison sentence of up to 7 years. Ms Ressa also still faces separate criminal proceedings for alleged tax violations, linked to charges of “foreign ownership” which have now been debunked by the courts.
This campaign of “lawfare” against Ms Ressa and Rappler has been widely condemned internationally, including by the United Nations, the US Department of State, the US Congress, the European Union and the Media Freedom Coalition of 50 states.
Ms Ressa’s international legal team is led by Amal Clooney of Doughty Street Chambers and Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC, and includes lawyers Can Yeginsu and Nadine Reiner as well as Peter Lichtenbaum, Stephen Rademaker and former Ambassador Daniel Feldman of Covington & Burling LLP, working alongside domestic counsel in the Philippines.
