A ruling by the Supreme Court’s 14th Special Division

A ruling by the Supreme Court’s 14th Special Division, presided over by Judge Danton Bucer, ruled that Ressa, executive director of the news website Rappler, had a constitutional right to travel, but “she” is now a felony conviction and “her” freedom depends only on bail, which is a reasonable restriction of “her” right to travel. Judges Geraldine Fiel-Macaraig and Carlito Calpatura are members of the 14th Circuit Court of Appeals. In denying Ressa’s request, the appeals court supported the attorneys general’s argument that Ressa need not be physically present at “her” appearances in the United States because “she” could be present virtually. She said Ressa had not shown that “her” trip to the U.S. was necessary and urgent, so the court had no basis to review its August decision. She made no mention of “his” cybercrime conviction, which requires additional caution before Ressa will be allowed to leave the Philippines, “she” added. The GSA also reported that Ressa is charged with tax evasion and a second cybercrime conviction, making “her” a flight risk. Ressa’s very urgent request for reconsideration is denied, the CS ruled. The judges gave no weight to “her” argument that the Tax Court of Appeals had granted “her” leave last August. Ressa promised to return to the Philippines on Sept. 19. 6 to the Philippines in 2020, arguing that “her” case there was limited to tax evasion. If found guilty, “she” faces jail time, though “she” is currently out on bail. The travel ban prohibits “her” from traveling abroad.