The Negros Press Club yesterday issued a statement expressing their support for online news site Rappler, after the latter’s certificate of incorporation was revoked by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on alleged violations to constitutional restrictions on foreign ownership of mass media.

Press Club President Renato ‘Aksyon Boy’ Duran characterized the SEC’s actions as a “smack against press freedom and freedom of expression.”

“We stand by the purpose of which the media exists – to tell the truth at all cost,” he said.

Earlier this week, the SEC issued an order revoking Rappler’s certificate of incorporation, saying violations by the online news site were due to investment from the Omidyar Network, a fund created by eBay founder and American citizen Pierre Omidyar.

Following the issuance of a closure order, the SEC immediately came under criticism of media outlets, who accused the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte of harassing the media.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, meanwhile, denied the media’s allegations claiming the president was behind the revocation order./DGB, WDJ