Statement of Sen. Francis Pangilinan on reported arrest warrant for Rappler's Maria Ressa

Nabalitaan natin sa social media na hinainan na ng warrant of arrest si Maria Ressa. This is a clear case of the powerful harassing those whose duty is to keep them in check. Like our partymate Sen. Leila de Lima before her, Maria Ressa now stands as a beacon of speaking truth to power, and upholding the very principles that make us a modern, democratic nation.

Inuunti-unti at dinadahan-dahan ang bawat institusyong maaaring tumindig laban sa pang-aabuso ng kapangyarihan. Kailangang palagan ito-- pawat pulgada, bawat hakbang na may nangyayaring ganito, kailangan nating magsalita, magbuklod, sabihin sa mga nasa poder: Hindi kami papayag, at hindi nag-iisa si Maria. Kailangan nating gumuhit at sabihing nasa panig tayo ng katotohanan at katarungan. Nasa panig tayo ng malayang pamamahayag. Nasa panig tayo ni Maria Ressa.

The Liberal Party, along with every true ally of liberal democracy in the Philippines, fully and unequivocally stands with Rappler in this dark time for press freedom in the country.