Philippine news site Rappler has criticised President Rodrigo Duterte – it will now face tax evasion charges
- Press watchdogs have criticised the government actions as payback for coverage that challenges Duterte’s crackdown on drugs
- Rappler described the case as ‘a clear form of continuing intimidation and harassment’ as well as ‘an attempt to silence reporting’
Philippine prosecutors said on Friday they will file tax evasion charges against a news website that has clashed with President Rodrigo Duterte, a case the outlet branded as an “intimidation” effort.
Rappler, which denies the allegations, is one of few Philippine media outfits openly critical of Duterte’s leadership, in particular his deadly anti-narcotics crackdown.
The government accuses Rappler Holdings Corp, the site’s CEO Maria Ressa and its accountant of failing to pay taxes on 2015 bond sales that it alleges netted gains of 162.5 million pesos (US$3 million).
“The National Prosecution Service has found probable cause to indict … for violation of the national Internal Revenue Code,” the justice department said in a statement.
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said state prosecutors will file the tax evasion charges in court next week.
Rappler described the case as “a clear form of continuing intimidation and harassment” as well as “an attempt to silence reporting that does not please the administration”.