Supreme Court ends moves to shut down Rappler

MANILA — The Philippine Supreme Court has ended moves to shut down online news organization Rappler founded by  Nobel Peace Prize laurate Maria Ressa.

A statement from Ressa's international legal team said the high court issued a final decision on January 20, 2026, of which Rappler was notified March 24, 2026.

The Court declared the case "closed and terminated.”

The Philippine Office of the Solicitor General previously withdrew its efforts to reverse an appellate court ruling in Rappler's favor.

lawyers Amal Clooney of Doughty Street Chambers and Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC lead the international legal team.

“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,” Clooney said.

“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,” Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC said.

The Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission revoked Rappler’s certificate of incorporation in 2018 on allegations that it had violated a legal prohibition on foreign ownership of media organizations when it issued Philippine Depository Receipts (PDRs) to secure investment from an American philanthropic fund in 2015.

In July 2024, the Court of Appeals overturned the SEC’s order and confirmed that Rappler is “wholly owned and managed by Filipinos, in compliance with the Constitutional mandate”.

The SEC’s subsequent challenge was rejected in July 2025 for lack of merit.

The legal team however noted Ressa remains exposed to jailtime of upto 7 years as  her appeal to reverse a “cyberlibel” conviction is awaiting a final decision by the Philippine Supreme Court. Ressa also still faces separate criminal proceedings for alleged tax violations.