The Philippines’ highest court has formally ended the government’s legal effort to shut down Rappler, drawing a definitive close to a nearly decade-long battle over the digital news outlet’s operating license.
In a resolution dated January 20, 2026, the Supreme Court’s Third Division declared the case “closed and terminated” after granting the Office of the Solicitor General’s request to withdraw its motion for extension — a filing that had sought more time to challenge a Court of Appeals ruling that invalidated the Securities and Exchange Commission’s closure order against Rappler.
The SC resolution effectively seals a series of appellate court victories Rappler accumulated against the SEC. In August 2024, the CA overturned the shutdown order and directed authorities to restore the certificates of incorporation of both Rappler and Rappler Holdings Corporation. The appellate court also found that the SEC had given Rappler “preferential treatment — a negative one.” When the SEC sought reconsideration, the CA stood by its ruling in 2025, reaffirming its finding that the commission had disregarded an earlier directive to assess the legal consequences of a donation made by foreign investor Omidyar Network.
The ownership dispute traces back to January 2018, when the SEC under then-president Rodrigo Duterte revoked Rappler’s certificate, arguing that Philippine Depositary Receipts issued to Omidyar rendered the company’s structure unconstitutional. After Omidyar donated the PDRs to Rappler’s Filipino managers — a move the CA later cited as having resolved the SEC’s original concern — the commission nonetheless upheld its shutdown order days before Duterte left office in 2022.
Solicitor General Darlene Marie Berberabe’s office, which had been representing the SEC, ultimately declined to pursue further legal action before the SC.
International human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, who represents Rappler CEO and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa, welcomed the outcome. “This is an important victory for Maria Ressa and journalists across the Philippines. I welcome the position taken by the Solicitor General in this case and the court rulings recognizing the paramount importance of the press in a free society. I hope the courts will resolve the remaining cases against Maria in line with these same values,” she said.
Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC, another counsel for Ressa, called the result a potential turning point. “This is a significant and welcome victory for our client, Maria Ressa, and for Rappler, following a legal battle stretching for almost a decade. This should be a pivot point for Maria, Rappler, and for press freedom and the rule of law in the Philippines. We hope this positive direction of travel will continue as the remaining cases against Maria reach resolution,” Gallagher said.
One case against Ressa remains unresolved before the Supreme Court — an appeal of the June 2020 cyber libel conviction of Ressa and former Rappler researcher Reynaldo Santos. In March, the OSG filed a manifestation with the High Court urging it to acquit both.
