Rappler seeks dismissal of cyber libel complaint

A Manila court has allowed Rappler and its chief Maria Ressa to file a motion seeking the dismissal of a cyber libel complaint filed by businessman Wilfredo Keng due to insufficient evidence.

Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 46 gave Rappler 10 days to submit a demurrer to evidence which pleads the court to junk the complaint without presenting its own evidence. The RTC also gave the prosecution 10 days to file its comment to the demurrer.

If granted, the motion would result in the dismissal of the case and eventual acquittal of the accused.

The cyber libel case stemmed from an article entitled “CJ using SUVs of a controversial businessman” published by Rappler in May 2012.

Keng denied the allegation and asked Rappler to remove the story from its website but the online news portal republished it in 2014.