Magno, Tiglao question SolGen move to seek Ressa acquittal, cite legal and ethical concerns

Political analysts Alex Magno and Roberto Tiglao have taken issue with Solicitor General Darlene Marie Berberabe’s move to ask the Supreme Court to overturn the cyber libel conviction of Rappler CEO Maria Ressa.

They described the action of the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) as improper and lacking due respect for the High Court. Berberabe recently submitted a “Manifestation with Recommendation for Acquittal,” urging the Supreme Court to clear Ressa of the charges.

In his March 21 column titled “Discourteous,” Magno, a longtime political science professor at the University of the Philippines, said the move was inappropriate for a Solicitor General. He stressed that the position is meant to represent the government’s interests, not those of personal acquaintances, raising concerns about a potential conflict of interest given Berberabe’s previous role as legal counsel for Ressa.

Ressa was found guilty of cyber libel by a Manila Regional Trial Court in 2020, a ruling that was unanimously affirmed by the Court of Appeals in July 2022. She was sentenced to imprisonment ranging from eight months and 20 days up to six years, along with a ₱400,000 fine. In November 2022, Ressa and her co-accused, Reynaldo Santos Jr., elevated the case to the Supreme Court seeking a reversal of the decision.

In a separate March 23 column, Tiglao also questioned the legal basis of Berberabe’s recommendation for acquittal. He argued that only the Supreme Court sitting en banc has the authority to reverse its own rulings and accused the Solicitor General of disregarding established legal principles. Tiglao added that while Berberabe cited a 2023 Supreme Court ruling suggesting a one-year prescription period, she allegedly failed to consider the 2018 decision in Tolentino v. People, which set the prescriptive period at 15 years.

Other political observers likewise echoed the criticism, saying the OSG should focus on more pressing national concerns. They argued that amid ongoing global tensions, including conflicts in the Middle East, the Solicitor General’s office should prioritize issues that directly impact the public rather than intervening in cases involving private individuals.