FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

A Letter from Filipino American Journalists

June 23, 2020

To our fellow journalists in the Philippines,

For more than a century, the United States and the Philippines have enjoyed and endured a close but
fraught relationship, with both countries sharing a love of freedom in general and freedom of the press in
particular.

As Filipino Americans who are former and current journalists, we convey our support of your work,
courage, and dedication in your search for truth. And we feel outrage on the recent conviction of Maria
Ressa and Reynaldo Santos that poses threats to freedom of the press and democracy. We believe that
the charges should be dropped and demand a reversal of the court’s decision.

Clearly, the courts committed an injustice when they convicted Ressa and Santos of “cyber libel” after a
trial based on the flimsy argument — that the Rappler had violated Philippine cyber libel law, by
“republishing” the story after their correction of a misspelled word.

We ask: does the fact that the original Rappler story focused on a connection between the Chief Justice
of the Philippine Supreme Court and a wealthy Chinese Filipino businessman have any bearing on the
heavy-handed methods dealt to the defendants?

We in the States have always taken pride in The First Amendment in the U.S. Constitution that
guarantees the freedom of the press. It has protected and enabled us to collect information and report the
truth. In the Philippines, freedom of speech and freedom of the press are written into the 1987
constitution.

Sadly, under the current administration, attacks on American journalists have put the U.S. on the list of
the most dangerous places for journalists to work. Worldwide, according to Reporters Without Borders, at
least 63 professional journalists were killed doing their jobs in 2018—a 15 percent increase over the
previous year. For years, the Philippines has ranked as one of the most dangerous places for journalists
to work and, according to a 2018 report by the International Federation of Journalists, is the worst in
terms of impunity.

Ressa clearly believes the government has made her and her colleague as tools to intimidate journalists.
She said in a statement: “I appeal to you, the journalists in this room who are listening, to protect your
rights. We [she and Santos] are meant to be a cautionary tale, we are meant to make you afraid.”

The role of the media, by holding the powerful accountable, threatens the motives of those who want to
remain in power through any means. We believe that the work of the Philippine press is vitally important
in preserving the right of citizens to know the truth, and is a bulwark against forces that threaten the
common good.

A look back at Philippine and American histories shows that past leaders have acknowledged that
national courage, along with a strong free press, are vital to maintaining a democracy. The Philippine
national hero Jose Rizal once said, “The tyranny of some is possible only through the cowardice of
others.” U.S. president Thomas Jefferson said, “Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a
government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to
prefer the latter.”

On the day she was arrested, in 2019, Maria Ressa said, “It would be great if we didn’t have to fight our
government.” We Filipino American journalists stand with you.

In solidarity,
Filipino American journalists

1. Marilyn Abalos (NY) 39. Apple Mandy (NY)

2. Tony Acosta (CA) 40. Melissa Mecija (CA)
3. Mark Angeles (Hong Kong) 41. Jon Melegrito (CA)
4. Steve Angeles (CA) 42. Anita Merina (MD)
5. Melanie Apostol (WA) 43. Marivir Montebon (NY)
6. Vivian Zalvidea Araullo (CA) 44. Pati Navalta (CA)
7. Stephanie Burnett (Germany) 45. Analisa Nazareno (TX)
8. Janela Carerra (GU) 46. Joe Florido Newman (DC)
9. Chris Casquejo (MI) 47. Jillian Doria Ogawa (CA)
10. Will Chang (NY) 48. Tina Pamintuan (CA)
11. Rene Ciria-Cruz (CA) 49. Noel Pangilinan (NY)
12. David Dela Fuente (CA) 50. Cristina DC Pastor (NY)
13. Maria DeLeon (IL) 51. Suzie Racho (CA)
14. Ernabel Demillo (NY) 52. Angelo Ragaza (NY)
15. Andrew DeVigal (OR) 53. Rayner Ramirez (NY)
16. Milrose Basco Downs (CA) 54. Rachel Ramirez (NY)
17. Wilma Consul (DC) 55. Tony Ramirez (AZ)
18. Jose Fidelino (NY) 56. Ron Recinto (MI)
19. Marishyl Casalenas Ford (GA) 57. Ted Regencia (Middle East)
20. Luis Francia (NY) 58. Carmiliza Riculan (DC)
21. Richard Fruto (CA) 59. Ricky Rillera (NY)
22. Linda Gerber (IL) 60. Lindy Rosales (NY)
23. Malaka Gharib (DC) 61. Gabriel Jones Roxas (TX)
24. Denise-Marie Guerra (DC) 62. Ray Seva (NM)
25. Ericka Guevarra (CA) 63. Alyson Stamos (CA)
26. Leslie Guevarra (CA) 64. Don Tagala (NY)
27. Guia Marie Del Prado (NY) 65. Emily Tan (NY)
28. Emil Guillermo (CA) 66. Rose Tibayan (IL)
29. Angeline Hartmann (DC) 67. Emery Timban Ling (PA)
30. Maricar Estrella Hastings (TX) 68. Jose Antonio Vargas (CA)
31. Anne Marie Cruz Janeway (NY) 69. Don Villar (IL)
32. Lloyd LaCuesta (CA) 70. Momar Visaya (NY)
33. Nestor Licanto (GU) 71. Glenn Wakai (HI)
34. Alan Llavore (CA) 72. Ashley Westerman (DC)
35. Boyet Loverita (NY) 73. Justin Willis (CA)
36. Kevin Lozano (NY) 74. Mona Lisa Yuchengco (CA)
37. Adrienne Luis (CA) 75. Karen Zarsadiaz-Ige (CA)
38. Shari Macias Wong (NV) 76. Geri Alumit Zeldes (MI)