Maria Ressa delivers commencement speech at 2019 Columbia Journalism School graduation

[@hydiereyes4238]

A woman of courage worthy of admiration! Impressive and such an inspiring speech! Mabuhay ka Maria Ressa❤️

[@myrnagales582]

I luv hearing you Madam Maria Ressa. MABUHAY the courageous Filipina ever.

[@jaysalud1028]

I find it intriguing that people from other countries appreciate maria more than her birthplace, the philippines. There seems to be a disparity on the level of enlightenment of people relevant to their location. I feel shame that i live on the place which do not appreciate her courage and intellect. Thanks maria for being an inspiration.

[@ivanceus]

Because evil is on the right ear of the majority thanks to facebook who did nothing.

[@quantumchase]

I can also feel the shame you are talking about.

[@arnelpedro4093]

What do you mean? She is my inspiration

[@misamisorientaljournal]

Maria Ressa, you have been an inspiration. Keep safe.

[@angelosolano1360]

such an informative and intellectual speech from our nobel peace prize, maria ressa..

[@roxannecarpenter6668]

This woman is always prepared, professional, and sound. Go MARIA GO!

[@marlenesabiooliva7667]

The Nobel Peace Committee is correct by awarding you the most prestigious award to be given to a journalist. God bless you!

[@jdnny7616]

Very proud of her , Philippine pride …

[@marilyngatdula7916]

Di naman pilipino yan indonisia yan

[@jdnny7616]

@@marilyngatdula7916 I checked her biography and it says; born October 2nd 1963 Manila Philippines. CEO of Rappler.

[@abelardojrsanagustin4404]

Ms Maria Ressa “”Huwaran “” sa braveness, truth, and The courage of telling the Truth.

[@marlyntijamo1159]

A woman of conviction,courage,integrity,. a journalist awardee one of a kind person with dignity.Sa ibang bansa kinikilala siya sa husay ,balanseng ,at makatotohanan pamamahayag .Kinaiinisan na mga abusadong na ka pwesto sa gobyerno pero sa toto lang para sa akin ang pakay niya ay i check kung toto at ipahayag ito.na may ibedensya.

[@violetaserantes2080]

Maraming salamat sa iyong pagmamahal sa ating bansang Pilipinas. Another Pilipino who uphold truth, principled, kindhearted, a God- given soul. God loves you.

[@khalilgibran4867]

This is what happens when you search for the truth, speak the truth and sticks with the truth. The world notices. Congatulations to those truth seekers and speakers.

[@junjunarponyahooit]

Such a POWERFUL address!🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭

[@maryrosefoisset2091]

Wow, I cried a bucket. Excellent speech!

[@bennieantalan998]

True!

[@jodonquilantang6386]

Its true

[@JB-xm8qi]

OPINION: Maria's problems do not make up the Philippine story Out of professional courtesy, I will not go into the situation in other news outlets. But right here in this paper, if you still see my friend, kumpare, and fellow columnist Leo Lastimosa being able to continue criticizing President Rodrigo Duterte almost daily, then it is fair to say that he is living and breathing proof that the press is not under assault in the Philippines as claimed by Maria Ressa. And in The Philippine STAR, sister paper of The FREEMAN, flagship of the Star Media Group and number one paper in the country, if you can still see Satur Ocampo, Federico Pascual, Jarius Bondoc, and others being able to openly criticize Duterte to a much wider global audience, then they are living and breathing proof as well that the press is not under assault in the Philippines, contrary to the same claims of Maria Ressa. Then aside from The FREEMAN and The Philippine STAR, there are hundreds of other papers, radio and TV stations and online news portals, as well as millions on social media that continue to go about their business without any intervention from government. But Maria Ressa never reported these to give context to her stories. She dwelt only on her own experience which she brought upon her own self by doing things deemed illegal under Philippine laws. Admittedly, there had to be extrajudicial killings in Duterte's crackdown on illegal drugs. But the vast majority fell in legitimate police operations. Most of the victims were armed and fought back and thus got killed. But did Maria Ressa even once put context to her stories by citing the unassailable fact that millions of loose firearms are in the hands of criminals? Never. Because doing so would have crushed her ugly stories about the Philippines. Democracy is alive in the Philippines. The justice system still works. Maria Ressa has her lawyers and has not been deprived her day in court. What extrajudicial cases there may have been, they are in the courts as well. The courts are free, without any interference from Duterte. To claim otherwise is to open up to the same claim Leni Robredo's father, who was appointed judge by Ferdinand Marcos himself, the father. In my immediately preceding column last Monday, there were two threads of thought that ran through it. One was that the Nobel Committee may have been negligent and careless in appreciating the Maria Ressa story, leading to its controversial decision to give her the Nobel Peace Prize. The other was that the United States, by whatever means, may have had a hand in the award to demonize and punish Duterte for his pivot to China. Nothing seems impossible for the US, whose clandestine cloak-and-dagger operations can work independently or in tandem with its giant legal and above-ground apparatus to achieve its one consuming aim of promoting and protecting its interests. From propping up to removing leaders (Marcos as prime example), assassinations, dropping atomic bombs on civilian populations, influencing elections (Magsaysay), name it, the US can do it. Compared to the above, the US can and most certainly would influence the grant of any award or prize if its interests so require, the Nobel included. And it is perfectly possible for Maria Ressa to be played thus by America if it wanted to, the same way it could have used the International Criminal Court as another flank in its multi-pronged attack on the sovereign leader of the Philippines, the price Duterte must pay for playing footsie with China. How ironic that for incessantly attacking a duly-elected leader, Maria Ressa gets rewarded with a Peace Prize. And how unfair that for interviewing Bongbong Marcos, Toni Gonzaga would be called all sorts of names and chased almost out of social media. And yet some people just cannot tell the difference by likening Maria Ressa's Nobel Prize to Hidilyn Diaz's Olympic Gold. What an insult to the honest, decent and God-fearing Hidilyn.

[@vermont741]

Bravo! Maria Ressa! Well deserved Nobel Peace Prize! Keep up the good work, we will be behind you!

[@JB-xm8qi]

OPINION: Maria's problems do not make up the Philippine story Out of professional courtesy, I will not go into the situation in other news outlets. But right here in this paper, if you still see my friend, kumpare, and fellow columnist Leo Lastimosa being able to continue criticizing President Rodrigo Duterte almost daily, then it is fair to say that he is living and breathing proof that the press is not under assault in the Philippines as claimed by Maria Ressa. And in The Philippine STAR, sister paper of The FREEMAN, flagship of the Star Media Group and number one paper in the country, if you can still see Satur Ocampo, Federico Pascual, Jarius Bondoc, and others being able to openly criticize Duterte to a much wider global audience, then they are living and breathing proof as well that the press is not under assault in the Philippines, contrary to the same claims of Maria Ressa. Then aside from The FREEMAN and The Philippine STAR, there are hundreds of other papers, radio and TV stations and online news portals, as well as millions on social media that continue to go about their business without any intervention from government. But Maria Ressa never reported these to give context to her stories. She dwelt only on her own experience which she brought upon her own self by doing things deemed illegal under Philippine laws. Admittedly, there had to be extrajudicial killings in Duterte's crackdown on illegal drugs. But the vast majority fell in legitimate police operations. Most of the victims were armed and fought back and thus got killed. But did Maria Ressa even once put context to her stories by citing the unassailable fact that millions of loose firearms are in the hands of criminals? Never. Because doing so would have crushed her ugly stories about the Philippines. Democracy is alive in the Philippines. The justice system still works. Maria Ressa has her lawyers and has not been deprived her day in court. What extrajudicial cases there may have been, they are in the courts as well. The courts are free, without any interference from Duterte. To claim otherwise is to open up to the same claim Leni Robredo's father, who was appointed judge by Ferdinand Marcos himself, the father. In my immediately preceding column last Monday, there were two threads of thought that ran through it. One was that the Nobel Committee may have been negligent and careless in appreciating the Maria Ressa story, leading to its controversial decision to give her the Nobel Peace Prize. The other was that the United States, by whatever means, may have had a hand in the award to demonize and punish Duterte for his pivot to China. Nothing seems impossible for the US, whose clandestine cloak-and-dagger operations can work independently or in tandem with its giant legal and above-ground apparatus to achieve its one consuming aim of promoting and protecting its interests. From propping up to removing leaders (Marcos as prime example), assassinations, dropping atomic bombs on civilian populations, influencing elections (Magsaysay), name it, the US can do it. Compared to the above, the US can and most certainly would influence the grant of any award or prize if its interests so require, the Nobel included. And it is perfectly possible for Maria Ressa to be played thus by America if it wanted to, the same way it could have used the International Criminal Court as another flank in its multi-pronged attack on the sovereign leader of the Philippines, the price Duterte must pay for playing footsie with China. How ironic that for incessantly attacking a duly-elected leader, Maria Ressa gets rewarded with a Peace Prize. And how unfair that for interviewing Bongbong Marcos, Toni Gonzaga would be called all sorts of names and chased almost out of social media. And yet some people just cannot tell the difference by likening Maria Ressa's Nobel Prize to Hidilyn Diaz's Olympic Gold. What an insult to the honest, decent and God-fearing Hidilyn.

[@tessalmario8180]

Am a Filipino! So so proud of your bravery of fighting the good fight of guarding the truth! Congratulations dear Maria Ressa, that speech was so powerful tho delivered to journalism grads n 2019 is still very relevant n our present times. God bless always, Ms. Ressa, thanks for empowering the new grads and making them dream of a better lives n future.

[@ivygayanan3136]

So Inspirational and a mentor on how to sell your integrity for a fat pay check! Brava!

[@estrellaagustin4206]

Very informative and inspirational.

[@FALCONTV2023]

Guardian of truth. Congratulations and more power.

[@dominiccordova8347]

THAT.. was the BEST articulation of, the state of, and the challenges/opportunities faced by Journalism today. Brilliant.

[@isabelitaabadicio8663]

Brilliant

[@cardoadsuara1724]

Proud Pinoy here...living and educating Thai people here in the land of smile Thailand...mabuhay ka NOBEL PRIZE MARIA RESSA

[@kazuoohma6904]

Mabuhay ka rin po kuya! Thank you for teaching others as well, for sure you're doing an amazing job in Thailand! :))

[@猟師-y8u]

"Dream of a better future. Then go, and make it happen. Go." 🥺❤️

[@rose7134]

We FILIPINOS ARE PROUD FOR RESSA.

[@positivefutures21]

No!!! We Filipinos are not.. She is still one of the most hated person in the Philippines for spreading lies in the western world about our motherland..

[@sundaysbest8023]

@@positivefutures21 You must be so lonely. I am super proud of her. Filipinos are proud of her.

[@uchiha-sx2td]

lmao

[@positivefutures21]

@@sundaysbest8023 , If you think that I am lonely, then let see who will win the Philippine Presidential Election on 2022. If NO allies of President Duterte will win, then you might be right that Filipinos are "so proud" of this Ressa.. In any case, I still respect your opinion, is its still democracy here in our beloved country.. Keep being Proud..

[@itsmehaydzofficial942]

@@positivefutures21 true

[@fredarc5074]

good job miss Ressa and god bless you..

[@Pacmandu2]

Congrats Maria Ressa! You definitely deserve this award. What a moving speech.

[@tonyalberto4927]

I LOVE WATCHING THIS OVER AND OVER and my hair stands on end whenever MRessa exhorts the graduates to arm themselves with courage in the global crusade against misinformation.

[@randolphvalentin6186]

She fooled them all! Nice job!

[@estheralcaraz7946]

Randolph Valentin shame on you!

[@randolphvalentin6186]

That is my opinion & what I see as a professional US gov’t employee. Too bad!

[@ernestofernando9560]

Ma'am Maria Rezza, your.Great" God bless you♡♡♡

[@rossramos5904]

Yahooo! NOBEL PEACE PRIZE WINNER! THE TRUE GUARDIAN of TRUTH! Hep! Hep! Hurrah! VIndicated! Isang malaking sampal kay D30 at kanyang mga alipores Go! Maria! Viva Maria! Laban lang! God will protect you!🙏🙏🙏

[@TechNomadUK1]

100% agree everything she said and 100% she deserve the award. We must continue to be vigilant against these dictatorships such as the Duterte government.

[@No-zk3xy]

Destabilizers giving awards to each other... how cute

[@yvonnesoh8686]

Gino Guillermo ... Can you help me define between dictatorship and discipline?

[@yvonnesoh8686]

or, differentiate?

[@paulnicolaparua300]

Kuya wala ka ng magagawa. Duterte remains the president of the Philippines and majority of the senators and congressman are now his allies. Even the judiciary, majority of the justices are his appointees. Majority of the voters are pro-Duterte. So instead of holding too much hatred, why don't you just help in rebuilding our nation? There are so much developments now happening in the Philippines. Sometimes it's good to have time to roam around the city and try using the public transportation like the MRT. I'm sure if you've been riding the MRT eversince it was built, you would notice how the developments of these infrastructures had been stagnant for many years. Imagine paying your taxes without visible projects? So I hope you realize these things.☺

[@yvonnesoh8686]

President Duterte is authoritative, not authoritarian. He is a disciplinarian, not a dictator. He was elected by a majority of the voters. Let us not forget that democracy is the rule of the majority. So, for those in the minority, accept it. Accept that the majority rules.

[@marishellearnaldog7809]

Excellent speech from an exemplary lady journalist and Nobel peace laureate and person of grand courage and integrity. You are a jewel of our country, Maria Ressa.

[@juliogaviola6350]

Maria Ressa you're rare. May the Heavens watch over you continually for your defense and advocacy of pure truth.

[@edmundcasey7765]

TRUTH AND INFORMATION IS POWER!!! accompanied with THREATS AND INTIMIDATION. . . . STAY STRONG CAUSE YOU WILL ALWAYS PREVAIL!!!

[@marilouregalado9012]

You are a couragious woman,, i admire your being open..GREAT YOU ARE GREAT..MAY GOD PROTECT YOU.. comment from Germany

[@taakaartali3702]

Very very informative n inspiration n you are the greatest,bravery ..go forward for democracy. Waiting for your valuable speech. Be long life

[@abelmotiongraphics4169]

Ang hirap talaga sa mga Pinoy ayaw paniwalaan si Maria mabuti pang ibang bansa naniwala sa kanya

[@TeaDrinker-eq3md]

Hirap nga po talaga dito sa Pilipinas. Lahat nagbubulagbulagan. They don't want to see the entirety of the picture. They crop and discard the things that they don't want to acknowledge, the things that negate what is just, right, and moral. Mas gusto pa nilang maniwala sa mga sabi ng idolo nila, na halos sambahin na nila. Nakakaawa po talaga ang Pilipinas, hindi magkaisa tungo sa kaayusan at kaunlaran sa pamamagitan ng pagiging mulat sa katotohanan. She's a brave woman. She's continually standing up against an abusive tyrant. She deserves that special recognition she got.

[@Kiwidream24]

ang mahirap naniniwala kayo sa ibang bansa na di alam ang nangyayari sa atin.

[@TeaDrinker-eq3md]

@@Kiwidream24 Sa Rappler? It's based on the country, not abroad. Journalists get the news first hand from the source usually. And they report nothing but the truth, the truth which the government doesn't like the public knowing or being aware of. The government has been suppressing people left and right. That alone speak volumes about how corrupt and abusive the government is.

[@SuperstudentAcademy]

oo naman. kasi overdose na pilipinas ng human rights. puro nalang human rights hahahah With Maria Ressa, Nobel prize has certainly lost its prestige

[@akome1361]

@@SuperstudentAcademy Whether you like it or not.. Nobel Prize is still a one in a billion award that you will never achieve.

[@sundaysbest8023]

The first time I heard you, I knew you are an inspiration. Your bravery more than makes up for your size. Bless you Maria

[@mmcbsa6271]

Congrats Ma'am maria Ressa

[@ramonbarotillo2969]

Go Maria Ressa go we’re so proud of you.

[@raymonortiz3084]

The only job of a true journalist is to report the news in a fair and balanced manner. That's all. Period. No spin. No bias. No political activism. No taking sides. No controlling the narrative. No opinions. No garbage. PERIOD!

[@bobongskinner9616]

Very well Said! I hope Maria Resa reads this😂😂

[@vermont741]

Tell that to Noli de Castro, Tonying, Tulfo, etal. You must remember that Rappler was equally critical of PNOY’s admin in 2010-2016

[@edisonfernandez6661]

Absolutely always be fair

[@petikspetikstv9906]

Kalalaki mong tao may period ka 😂

[@superbeef8653]

Maria Ressa is just a Western Puppet... Funded by the people who are "worshiping" R0thschild and Rockefeller elite 🤣 #TheCabal

[@stalematesibling]

The Duterte administration increased their communications budget by 500% compared to previous administrations. Where did that money go? Mocha for one. And youtube and facebook propaganda videos praising the duterte govt and lambasting the opposition. Resa did warn that the Philippines is one of the countries where the citizens are greatly influenced by social media and the internet, that's why people now get their unverified news from social media and not legitimate news sources whose reporters have actually studied journalism in college.

[@yvonnesoh8686]

Legitimate news sources whose reporters actually studied journalism in college are the very ones which is being questioned in terms of its truthfulness and whether the news reporting is unbiased, without speculation, just plain facts, not because you are following the orders or attuning to the interests of your employers. Social media and the internet are available to anyone & news come with just a click and, are we not thankful we can have added information on certain issues and then verify again and again? We need to go down to the grassroots, the communities, the people, not just the classrooms.

[@anthonyrivera535]

Journalist now a days are all becone businesses and talks all about money not like in 70's...Some journslist can be bought by moneyt and used by oligarch.....if the orice is right you will get a good publucity so do't tell me that they are cleaned & an cortuptable???

[@francissaxor530]

You never heard of DARK MONEY coming from OLIGARCHs and the CIA

[@leonryan1212]

Inspirational! There's hope for a better world. Make people see the truth and justice for all.

[@mariaelenarocillo2950]

CONGRATULATIONS, MARIA RESSA! MAY GOD PROTECT HER! AMEN ALLELUIA!

[@JB-xm8qi]

OPINION: Maria's problems do not make up the Philippine story Out of professional courtesy, I will not go into the situation in other news outlets. But right here in this paper, if you still see my friend, kumpare, and fellow columnist Leo Lastimosa being able to continue criticizing President Rodrigo Duterte almost daily, then it is fair to say that he is living and breathing proof that the press is not under assault in the Philippines as claimed by Maria Ressa. And in The Philippine STAR, sister paper of The FREEMAN, flagship of the Star Media Group and number one paper in the country, if you can still see Satur Ocampo, Federico Pascual, Jarius Bondoc, and others being able to openly criticize Duterte to a much wider global audience, then they are living and breathing proof as well that the press is not under assault in the Philippines, contrary to the same claims of Maria Ressa. Then aside from The FREEMAN and The Philippine STAR, there are hundreds of other papers, radio and TV stations and online news portals, as well as millions on social media that continue to go about their business without any intervention from government. But Maria Ressa never reported these to give context to her stories. She dwelt only on her own experience which she brought upon her own self by doing things deemed illegal under Philippine laws. Admittedly, there had to be extrajudicial killings in Duterte's crackdown on illegal drugs. But the vast majority fell in legitimate police operations. Most of the victims were armed and fought back and thus got killed. But did Maria Ressa even once put context to her stories by citing the unassailable fact that millions of loose firearms are in the hands of criminals? Never. Because doing so would have crushed her ugly stories about the Philippines. Democracy is alive in the Philippines. The justice system still works. Maria Ressa has her lawyers and has not been deprived her day in court. What extrajudicial cases there may have been, they are in the courts as well. The courts are free, without any interference from Duterte. To claim otherwise is to open up to the same claim Leni Robredo's father, who was appointed judge by Ferdinand Marcos himself, the father. In my immediately preceding column last Monday, there were two threads of thought that ran through it. One was that the Nobel Committee may have been negligent and careless in appreciating the Maria Ressa story, leading to its controversial decision to give her the Nobel Peace Prize. The other was that the United States, by whatever means, may have had a hand in the award to demonize and punish Duterte for his pivot to China. Nothing seems impossible for the US, whose clandestine cloak-and-dagger operations can work independently or in tandem with its giant legal and above-ground apparatus to achieve its one consuming aim of promoting and protecting its interests. From propping up to removing leaders (Marcos as prime example), assassinations, dropping atomic bombs on civilian populations, influencing elections (Magsaysay), name it, the US can do it. Compared to the above, the US can and most certainly would influence the grant of any award or prize if its interests so require, the Nobel included. And it is perfectly possible for Maria Ressa to be played thus by America if it wanted to, the same way it could have used the International Criminal Court as another flank in its multi-pronged attack on the sovereign leader of the Philippines, the price Duterte must pay for playing footsie with China. How ironic that for incessantly attacking a duly-elected leader, Maria Ressa gets rewarded with a Peace Prize. And how unfair that for interviewing Bongbong Marcos, Toni Gonzaga would be called all sorts of names and chased almost out of social media. And yet some people just cannot tell the difference by likening Maria Ressa's Nobel Prize to Hidilyn Diaz's Olympic Gold. What an insult to the honest, decent and God-fearing Hidilyn.

[@icouldntthinkofagoodname7216]

@@JB-xm8qi honestly, It's called Noble Peace Prize for a reason. It is supposed to be an honour for a country to have an awardee of it instead, we receive it as an insult. For having a "Filipino with an American citizenship" become successful in spreading lies.

[@janhontanosas]

I challenged all this journalists to dig the truth in the Philippines. Why the speaker received a lot of hate messages, harassed and arrested?

[@grizzy3727]

Journalists today write their stories in hotel room based on hearsay.

[@Freon914]

Oh I see, you're one of those haters. Before you challenge everyone here to dig the truth, how about you dig deeper first. Your mind seems too shallow.

[@janhontanosas]

@@Freon914 I only hate individuals who spread lies and fabricate stories against my country.

[@MrAmzies]

@@Freon914 learn how to argue properly. You didn't prove him wrong with your statement. You only offered a flimsy personal attack.

[@abuyousufgallego7516]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHKsh3qioJJopas

[@robindagala8981]

I strongly stand with Maria Ressa's fight for democracy and freedom for our country that inspires other countries as well.

[@cielosalgado5371]

You make the Phl proud

[@duanefzambas]

When one has to make a stand; and, NOT just a stand BUT a rightful stand.

[@abirwmd4u]

Duane Zambas you dont know anything.. you have to do more investigative journalism! This lady is a tax evader

[@elvisjoneshumperdink3384]

@@abirwmd4u U DDS

[@iloilokid69]

@@abirwmd4u Who is not a tax evader in the Philippines who is part of the economic and political elite ? What is your definition of a tax evader and is the legal definition of a tax evader in the 🇵🇭 ?

[@nancyganzon6237]

Maria Ressa , Filipinos all over the World are proud of you ! To be a Nobel Peace Price Winner , one of a kind !

[@iamthorvera4676]

Her speach says it all. Congratulations

[@hiidenwarrior2698]

Spitsssss!

[@villamebuizon6997]

I'm proud of you God will always guide you

[@nonitolim2884]

Excellent speech!

[@kenkoy1348]

Congrats Maria Ressa. Sa muli ay maipagmamalaki ko na ako'y isang Pilipino, nakakalungkot lang na marami pa sa atin ang kapos at pilit na pinipikit ang mga mata, karamiha'y nakikisakay lang, at ang iba nama'y alam nila pero gagamitin lang ang sitwasyon para maprotektahan ang mga pansariling interest. Kulang pa ang katulad ni Maria Ressa kailangan natin ng katulad niya sa ating bansa, nang sa gayun kahit sinong tiwaling politiko ay mangangamba dahil maraming nang magsisiwalat at pupuna, katulad ngayong panahon marami sa mga media ay kung hindi nababayaran ay kaalyado ng pamahalaan at ang iba naman ay nag media-mediahan lang gamit ang social media platform.

[@JB-xm8qi]

OPINION: Maria's problems do not make up the Philippine story Out of professional courtesy, I will not go into the situation in other news outlets. But right here in this paper, if you still see my friend, kumpare, and fellow columnist Leo Lastimosa being able to continue criticizing President Rodrigo Duterte almost daily, then it is fair to say that he is living and breathing proof that the press is not under assault in the Philippines as claimed by Maria Ressa. And in The Philippine STAR, sister paper of The FREEMAN, flagship of the Star Media Group and number one paper in the country, if you can still see Satur Ocampo, Federico Pascual, Jarius Bondoc, and others being able to openly criticize Duterte to a much wider global audience, then they are living and breathing proof as well that the press is not under assault in the Philippines, contrary to the same claims of Maria Ressa. Then aside from The FREEMAN and The Philippine STAR, there are hundreds of other papers, radio and TV stations and online news portals, as well as millions on social media that continue to go about their business without any intervention from government. But Maria Ressa never reported these to give context to her stories. She dwelt only on her own experience which she brought upon her own self by doing things deemed illegal under Philippine laws. Admittedly, there had to be extrajudicial killings in Duterte's crackdown on illegal drugs. But the vast majority fell in legitimate police operations. Most of the victims were armed and fought back and thus got killed. But did Maria Ressa even once put context to her stories by citing the unassailable fact that millions of loose firearms are in the hands of criminals? Never. Because doing so would have crushed her ugly stories about the Philippines. Democracy is alive in the Philippines. The justice system still works. Maria Ressa has her lawyers and has not been deprived her day in court. What extrajudicial cases there may have been, they are in the courts as well. The courts are free, without any interference from Duterte. To claim otherwise is to open up to the same claim Leni Robredo's father, who was appointed judge by Ferdinand Marcos himself, the father. In my immediately preceding column last Monday, there were two threads of thought that ran through it. One was that the Nobel Committee may have been negligent and careless in appreciating the Maria Ressa story, leading to its controversial decision to give her the Nobel Peace Prize. The other was that the United States, by whatever means, may have had a hand in the award to demonize and punish Duterte for his pivot to China. Nothing seems impossible for the US, whose clandestine cloak-and-dagger operations can work independently or in tandem with its giant legal and above-ground apparatus to achieve its one consuming aim of promoting and protecting its interests. From propping up to removing leaders (Marcos as prime example), assassinations, dropping atomic bombs on civilian populations, influencing elections (Magsaysay), name it, the US can do it. Compared to the above, the US can and most certainly would influence the grant of any award or prize if its interests so require, the Nobel included. And it is perfectly possible for Maria Ressa to be played thus by America if it wanted to, the same way it could have used the International Criminal Court as another flank in its multi-pronged attack on the sovereign leader of the Philippines, the price Duterte must pay for playing footsie with China. How ironic that for incessantly attacking a duly-elected leader, Maria Ressa gets rewarded with a Peace Prize. And how unfair that for interviewing Bongbong Marcos, Toni Gonzaga would be called all sorts of names and chased almost out of social media. And yet some people just cannot tell the difference by likening Maria Ressa's Nobel Prize to Hidilyn Diaz's Olympic Gold. What an insult to the honest, decent and God-fearing Hidilyn.

[@Vickie2417]

Maria, keep up your truthful work! We need you for this whole world. With your courage the whole world will at end knowledge your good work n many bad sacrifice to go to jail in n out for more than 10 times because of some powerful n brutal evil in your corrupted county Philippines. I pity you for being treated that badly n I appreciate n happy you are still alive and well. Just Smiles always! God will be with you no matter how bad u are treated as a human being n as journalist for your job . Good luck! Vicky US

[@hephaestuslakan3774]

Starve the trolls. Do not engage them instead report and block that way they cannot ask for payment from their handlers.

[@rogelioventura5953]

Kami stroll? Magbackgoundcheck nga kayo Kong sino stroll kahit sino pwede magsabi NG sasaloobin Yan ang press freedom Kong eblock nyo ang comment kabaliktaran pala sa sinasabe nyo kayo pala sumisikil sa press freedom.. From Concern citizen

[@JB-xm8qi]

OPINION: Maria's problems do not make up the Philippine story Out of professional courtesy, I will not go into the situation in other news outlets. But right here in this paper, if you still see my friend, kumpare, and fellow columnist Leo Lastimosa being able to continue criticizing President Rodrigo Duterte almost daily, then it is fair to say that he is living and breathing proof that the press is not under assault in the Philippines as claimed by Maria Ressa. And in The Philippine STAR, sister paper of The FREEMAN, flagship of the Star Media Group and number one paper in the country, if you can still see Satur Ocampo, Federico Pascual, Jarius Bondoc, and others being able to openly criticize Duterte to a much wider global audience, then they are living and breathing proof as well that the press is not under assault in the Philippines, contrary to the same claims of Maria Ressa. Then aside from The FREEMAN and The Philippine STAR, there are hundreds of other papers, radio and TV stations and online news portals, as well as millions on social media that continue to go about their business without any intervention from government. But Maria Ressa never reported these to give context to her stories. She dwelt only on her own experience which she brought upon her own self by doing things deemed illegal under Philippine laws. Admittedly, there had to be extrajudicial killings in Duterte's crackdown on illegal drugs. But the vast majority fell in legitimate police operations. Most of the victims were armed and fought back and thus got killed. But did Maria Ressa even once put context to her stories by citing the unassailable fact that millions of loose firearms are in the hands of criminals? Never. Because doing so would have crushed her ugly stories about the Philippines. Democracy is alive in the Philippines. The justice system still works. Maria Ressa has her lawyers and has not been deprived her day in court. What extrajudicial cases there may have been, they are in the courts as well. The courts are free, without any interference from Duterte. To claim otherwise is to open up to the same claim Leni Robredo's father, who was appointed judge by Ferdinand Marcos himself, the father. In my immediately preceding column last Monday, there were two threads of thought that ran through it. One was that the Nobel Committee may have been negligent and careless in appreciating the Maria Ressa story, leading to its controversial decision to give her the Nobel Peace Prize. The other was that the United States, by whatever means, may have had a hand in the award to demonize and punish Duterte for his pivot to China. Nothing seems impossible for the US, whose clandestine cloak-and-dagger operations can work independently or in tandem with its giant legal and above-ground apparatus to achieve its one consuming aim of promoting and protecting its interests. From propping up to removing leaders (Marcos as prime example), assassinations, dropping atomic bombs on civilian populations, influencing elections (Magsaysay), name it, the US can do it. Compared to the above, the US can and most certainly would influence the grant of any award or prize if its interests so require, the Nobel included. And it is perfectly possible for Maria Ressa to be played thus by America if it wanted to, the same way it could have used the International Criminal Court as another flank in its multi-pronged attack on the sovereign leader of the Philippines, the price Duterte must pay for playing footsie with China. How ironic that for incessantly attacking a duly-elected leader, Maria Ressa gets rewarded with a Peace Prize. And how unfair that for interviewing Bongbong Marcos, Toni Gonzaga would be called all sorts of names and chased almost out of social media. And yet some people just cannot tell the difference by likening Maria Ressa's Nobel Prize to Hidilyn Diaz's Olympic Gold. What an insult to the honest, decent and God-fearing Hidilyn.

[@krinjay5825]

@@rogelioventura5953 LOL, di nakailag, sumagot.

[@rogelioventura5953]

Sino troll baka Isampal ko sa inyo business permit ko.. Wala akong kilala at kapanalig na pulitiko isa akong Filipino citizen na may karapatan magpahayag NG saloobin at May karapatan na mamili Kong sino gusto ko piliin na presidente.. Si digong ang gusto ko dahil totoong tao sya at Di corrupt ngayon ano paki alam nyo magkitakita tayo sa botohan Kong sino mahal NG tao yon ang manalo mga makitid utak talangka

[@vladimircuizon8224]

Maria Ressa has been consistent in her message. To uphold truth, defend freedom of expression, and hold the line. Also, she is wearing pink here. She must have known or foretold that in late 2021, it will become the color of the opposition. Congrats on your accolades, Maria Ressa, including no less than the Nobel Peace Prize for 2021. They are all well-deserved.

[@noidph]

Powerful speech by fellow Filipino and colleague in the freedom of expression advocacy, Maria Ressa. You can see why she won the Nobel Peace Prize. Intelligent, articulate, and brave. Bravo!

[@maggiebriones4908]

Deserving

[@GTayanes]

Happy and proud Kababayan here.

[@JB-xm8qi]

OPINION: Maria's problems do not make up the Philippine story Out of professional courtesy, I will not go into the situation in other news outlets. But right here in this paper, if you still see my friend, kumpare, and fellow columnist Leo Lastimosa being able to continue criticizing President Rodrigo Duterte almost daily, then it is fair to say that he is living and breathing proof that the press is not under assault in the Philippines as claimed by Maria Ressa. And in The Philippine STAR, sister paper of The FREEMAN, flagship of the Star Media Group and number one paper in the country, if you can still see Satur Ocampo, Federico Pascual, Jarius Bondoc, and others being able to openly criticize Duterte to a much wider global audience, then they are living and breathing proof as well that the press is not under assault in the Philippines, contrary to the same claims of Maria Ressa. Then aside from The FREEMAN and The Philippine STAR, there are hundreds of other papers, radio and TV stations and online news portals, as well as millions on social media that continue to go about their business without any intervention from government. But Maria Ressa never reported these to give context to her stories. She dwelt only on her own experience which she brought upon her own self by doing things deemed illegal under Philippine laws. Admittedly, there had to be extrajudicial killings in Duterte's crackdown on illegal drugs. But the vast majority fell in legitimate police operations. Most of the victims were armed and fought back and thus got killed. But did Maria Ressa even once put context to her stories by citing the unassailable fact that millions of loose firearms are in the hands of criminals? Never. Because doing so would have crushed her ugly stories about the Philippines. Democracy is alive in the Philippines. The justice system still works. Maria Ressa has her lawyers and has not been deprived her day in court. What extrajudicial cases there may have been, they are in the courts as well. The courts are free, without any interference from Duterte. To claim otherwise is to open up to the same claim Leni Robredo's father, who was appointed judge by Ferdinand Marcos himself, the father. In my immediately preceding column last Monday, there were two threads of thought that ran through it. One was that the Nobel Committee may have been negligent and careless in appreciating the Maria Ressa story, leading to its controversial decision to give her the Nobel Peace Prize. The other was that the United States, by whatever means, may have had a hand in the award to demonize and punish Duterte for his pivot to China. Nothing seems impossible for the US, whose clandestine cloak-and-dagger operations can work independently or in tandem with its giant legal and above-ground apparatus to achieve its one consuming aim of promoting and protecting its interests. From propping up to removing leaders (Marcos as prime example), assassinations, dropping atomic bombs on civilian populations, influencing elections (Magsaysay), name it, the US can do it. Compared to the above, the US can and most certainly would influence the grant of any award or prize if its interests so require, the Nobel included. And it is perfectly possible for Maria Ressa to be played thus by America if it wanted to, the same way it could have used the International Criminal Court as another flank in its multi-pronged attack on the sovereign leader of the Philippines, the price Duterte must pay for playing footsie with China. How ironic that for incessantly attacking a duly-elected leader, Maria Ressa gets rewarded with a Peace Prize. And how unfair that for interviewing Bongbong Marcos, Toni Gonzaga would be called all sorts of names and chased almost out of social media. And yet some people just cannot tell the difference by likening Maria Ressa's Nobel Prize to Hidilyn Diaz's Olympic Gold. What an insult to the honest, decent and God-fearing Hidilyn.

[@GTayanes]

@@JB-xm8qi Your long response is acknowledged and respected. 🙂

[@indaturquia8594]

ur very diff,,woman,,the world will. loves u, ,

[@benjaminbautista2624]

I just happen to know Marie Ressa recently. She amazingly brave and articulate.

[@JoyLordAUMNIMEDIA]

Light shines amidst darkness.

[@chiloza760]

Congratulations, Ms. Ressa! Thank you for your courage.

[@MC-do4dw]

Beautiful speech 💜 She’s a warrior hero!

[@JB-xm8qi]

OPINION: Maria's problems do not make up the Philippine story Out of professional courtesy, I will not go into the situation in other news outlets. But right here in this paper, if you still see my friend, kumpare, and fellow columnist Leo Lastimosa being able to continue criticizing President Rodrigo Duterte almost daily, then it is fair to say that he is living and breathing proof that the press is not under assault in the Philippines as claimed by Maria Ressa. And in The Philippine STAR, sister paper of The FREEMAN, flagship of the Star Media Group and number one paper in the country, if you can still see Satur Ocampo, Federico Pascual, Jarius Bondoc, and others being able to openly criticize Duterte to a much wider global audience, then they are living and breathing proof as well that the press is not under assault in the Philippines, contrary to the same claims of Maria Ressa. Then aside from The FREEMAN and The Philippine STAR, there are hundreds of other papers, radio and TV stations and online news portals, as well as millions on social media that continue to go about their business without any intervention from government. But Maria Ressa never reported these to give context to her stories. She dwelt only on her own experience which she brought upon her own self by doing things deemed illegal under Philippine laws. Admittedly, there had to be extrajudicial killings in Duterte's crackdown on illegal drugs. But the vast majority fell in legitimate police operations. Most of the victims were armed and fought back and thus got killed. But did Maria Ressa even once put context to her stories by citing the unassailable fact that millions of loose firearms are in the hands of criminals? Never. Because doing so would have crushed her ugly stories about the Philippines. Democracy is alive in the Philippines. The justice system still works. Maria Ressa has her lawyers and has not been deprived her day in court. What extrajudicial cases there may have been, they are in the courts as well. The courts are free, without any interference from Duterte. To claim otherwise is to open up to the same claim Leni Robredo's father, who was appointed judge by Ferdinand Marcos himself, the father. In my immediately preceding column last Monday, there were two threads of thought that ran through it. One was that the Nobel Committee may have been negligent and careless in appreciating the Maria Ressa story, leading to its controversial decision to give her the Nobel Peace Prize. The other was that the United States, by whatever means, may have had a hand in the award to demonize and punish Duterte for his pivot to China. Nothing seems impossible for the US, whose clandestine cloak-and-dagger operations can work independently or in tandem with its giant legal and above-ground apparatus to achieve its one consuming aim of promoting and protecting its interests. From propping up to removing leaders (Marcos as prime example), assassinations, dropping atomic bombs on civilian populations, influencing elections (Magsaysay), name it, the US can do it. Compared to the above, the US can and most certainly would influence the grant of any award or prize if its interests so require, the Nobel included. And it is perfectly possible for Maria Ressa to be played thus by America if it wanted to, the same way it could have used the International Criminal Court as another flank in its multi-pronged attack on the sovereign leader of the Philippines, the price Duterte must pay for playing footsie with China. How ironic that for incessantly attacking a duly-elected leader, Maria Ressa gets rewarded with a Peace Prize. And how unfair that for interviewing Bongbong Marcos, Toni Gonzaga would be called all sorts of names and chased almost out of social media. And yet some people just cannot tell the difference by likening Maria Ressa's Nobel Prize to Hidilyn Diaz's Olympic Gold. What an insult to the honest, decent and God-fearing Hidilyn.

[@MC-do4dw]

@@JB-xm8qi Sorry. I have no time for your Sermon. Just read the FIRST sentence. Too bad you wasted all the time to think and write it down 😆 Keeo it to yourself!

[@JB-xm8qi]

@@MC-do4dw oh... sorry i wasted your precious time reading the first sentence... i just copied and pasted it 😅 too bad for you..

[@MC-do4dw]

@@JB-xm8qi Hehe. Is that the best you’ve got? Hah. BIG LIE 😝 You still wrote that pathetic sermon. HAH

[@MC-do4dw]

@@JB-xm8qi Nanananana 🤣🤪😜

[@bobongskinner9616]

Some people are just TOO GULLIBLE that they will believe anything you say to them as long as you say it with emotions and in a convincing manner. No need to examine the other side. Remember that in a court of law, no matter how guilty someone is, he is always given a chance to state his side of the story, a chance to defend himself. They dont just listen to one side of the story and have their verdict based on that one side. I would like to thank these "people" for giving an award to our "very own" Maria Resa as she is a paragon of "good" and "fair" "JOURNALISM" in our country, the Philippines. Believe me, everytime she would make a report, or public statement, she would carefully "examine" both sides of the story so that she "wouldnt" make a biased statement and everything would be in a fair and balanced manner for both sides. She was "never" taken over by emotions in any interviews with international media about our country's administration. She is very "profesional", "decent" and "humble" she "doesnt" spread false news to the world. Everything she does, she does to show the world that Filiponos, especially our Administration, are kindhearted people. She portrayed to the world how peaceful our country is, and that the Philippines is such a safe country. In every interview with international media, she HAS never, I repeat "NEVER" have, and never will, demonize the Filipinos and the beloved president of the country as well as the police as an evil force. She never did that. Why? Because her love for her country is just beyond great. I would also like to thank the ones that awarded her for being fair in your award giving. You showed the world how unbiased and fair you are by first hearing both sides of the stories, news, journalism about the Philippines that our respected Maria Resa have covered before giving your award. Kudos guys. Again, Thank You! Maria Resa for giving honor, pride, and especially RESPECT, to all the Filipinos. Now the world will surely respect Filipinos and not see them as trash. This is what it takes to be a brave and great journalist. We all wish you luck! just luck! I wouldnt specify if its good or bad, just to show that I am not biased. You deserve this award. After all, the people who gave this award to you were also respected people professionals, and unbiased. You deserve this, and EVERYTHING That is coming your way. You deserve them all. Again, I wouldnt specify if its good or bad, because you know im not biased. Bless.

[@EdgardoValentinoDOlaes]

Ms Ressa, you foretell the next world happening, the virus (pandemic) and its antidote, the vaccine. It really happens nowadays. We hope that your mission will accomplish for the real truth in writing and reporting. We wish succes in journalism for these graduates. CONGRATULATIONS, MARIA, FOR RECEIVING THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE AWARD IN 08 OCTOBER 2021. Lots of kudos to you. God bless you; and all these graduates.

[@abuyousufgallego7516]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHKsh3qioJJopas

[@dominiccordova8347]

Humbled by the rare blend of content, personality, persuasion and veracity.

[@abirwmd4u]

dominic cordova ????

[@dominiccordova8347]

@@abirwmd4u Yes?

[@francissaxor530]

And yet this creature is ignorant of the Philippine ANTI-DUMMY law ..... who are you kidding ? 😁😁😁😁😁😁😁

[@sundaysbest8023]

@@francissaxor530 tell me about it.

[@superbeef8653]

Maria Ressa is just a Western Puppet... Funded by the people who are "worshiping" R0thschild and Rockefeller family 🤣 #TheCabal #WakeUp

[@jarafaelnocum2064]

Joining you holding the Line! The battle for truth and facts! Maria Ressa 2021 Noble Peace Award! Mabuhay ka! God bless!🇵🇭🇺🇸

[@adriennebeecker5000]

Democracy is fragile and she is fighting for it and a better world through the youth. Bravo!

[@KyeChua]

Sa lahat ng nglait kay Maria Ressa ano ngaun laki sampal sa inyo Nobel Peace Prize

[@teenavaldes]

You make us proud to be a Pilipino.

[@saviadangwa1323]

A very inspirational speech for a journalism college.😀

[@chiquiortiz9373]

Bravo Maria Ressa

[@mmcbsa6271]

Very eloquent speaker and brave enough to tell the truth. Wow a Filipina

[@hyperloid2143]

We want the women the next President of the Phillippines.. Brave and fight democracy like the president of the Taiwan.....

[@bennieantalan998]

We need Iron Lady like margarit thatcher former prime minister of England to be the next president.

[@joselloren8012]

Very impressive speech indeed, a profile of courage.

[@luigineguzzi453]

Saludos.....

[@JPU1122]

Laban

[@sfv6]

Congratulations Maria!

[@oliveverzosa3229]

You are indeed amaziing! Excellent speech! so proud again for being a Filipino because of you! God bless you more Maria Ressa!

[@dtabije08]

More power to you Maria. Prayers

[@victoriacruz1205]

You go girl!!!

[@ytsegameseeker8670]

Yep , she will go to jail in no time. Ahahahahahaha

[@maverickwingman3960]

go to US dont come back tnx

[@merlindavilla3837]

She graduated from UP nd Princeton University..meaning She is really INTELIIGENT and courageous to tell the TRUTH..it is so sad that sometimes people are AFRAID to know the truth but TRUTH always prevails over lies.. MABUHAY..MARIA You are GREAT..

[@arielcasper1103]

We are very proud of you mam ressa

[@RandyTuriano]

“Sleep well tonight. Dream of a better future. Then go and make it happen…go”.

[@maharlukomaharluka4811]

Congrats maria ressa

[@beatricealbo6385]

Wow ! What a BEAUTIFUL , & inspiring speech that is !!! My RESPECTS & SALUTE TO YOU MS MARIA RESSA ! GOD BLESS YOU & MAY HE KEEP YOU SAFE FROM HARM ! ❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏🇵🇭🇵🇭🇵🇭🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@nonoyandaya1082]

Mabuhay po kayo ms.maria ressa, god bless po🙏👏🏆❤️

[@karljosephallado9341]

What a speech "Sleep well tonight, dream of a better future, go and make it happen, GO" All hail to Maria

[@Spy359]

No dictator can stop a truth from being told.

[@romyarias9195]

Truth? it died in Ressa's dirty lips.

[@ciojr.2760]

I believe Marissa Ressa’s accomplishments fit into this. Since March 1901, it has been awarded annually (with some exceptions) to those who have "done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses".

[@JB-xm8qi]

OPINION: Maria's problems do not make up the Philippine story Out of professional courtesy, I will not go into the situation in other news outlets. But right here in this paper, if you still see my friend, kumpare, and fellow columnist Leo Lastimosa being able to continue criticizing President Rodrigo Duterte almost daily, then it is fair to say that he is living and breathing proof that the press is not under assault in the Philippines as claimed by Maria Ressa. And in The Philippine STAR, sister paper of The FREEMAN, flagship of the Star Media Group and number one paper in the country, if you can still see Satur Ocampo, Federico Pascual, Jarius Bondoc, and others being able to openly criticize Duterte to a much wider global audience, then they are living and breathing proof as well that the press is not under assault in the Philippines, contrary to the same claims of Maria Ressa. Then aside from The FREEMAN and The Philippine STAR, there are hundreds of other papers, radio and TV stations and online news portals, as well as millions on social media that continue to go about their business without any intervention from government. But Maria Ressa never reported these to give context to her stories. She dwelt only on her own experience which she brought upon her own self by doing things deemed illegal under Philippine laws. Admittedly, there had to be extrajudicial killings in Duterte's crackdown on illegal drugs. But the vast majority fell in legitimate police operations. Most of the victims were armed and fought back and thus got killed. But did Maria Ressa even once put context to her stories by citing the unassailable fact that millions of loose firearms are in the hands of criminals? Never. Because doing so would have crushed her ugly stories about the Philippines. Democracy is alive in the Philippines. The justice system still works. Maria Ressa has her lawyers and has not been deprived her day in court. What extrajudicial cases there may have been, they are in the courts as well. The courts are free, without any interference from Duterte. To claim otherwise is to open up to the same claim Leni Robredo's father, who was appointed judge by Ferdinand Marcos himself, the father. In my immediately preceding column last Monday, there were two threads of thought that ran through it. One was that the Nobel Committee may have been negligent and careless in appreciating the Maria Ressa story, leading to its controversial decision to give her the Nobel Peace Prize. The other was that the United States, by whatever means, may have had a hand in the award to demonize and punish Duterte for his pivot to China. Nothing seems impossible for the US, whose clandestine cloak-and-dagger operations can work independently or in tandem with its giant legal and above-ground apparatus to achieve its one consuming aim of promoting and protecting its interests. From propping up to removing leaders (Marcos as prime example), assassinations, dropping atomic bombs on civilian populations, influencing elections (Magsaysay), name it, the US can do it. Compared to the above, the US can and most certainly would influence the grant of any award or prize if its interests so require, the Nobel included. And it is perfectly possible for Maria Ressa to be played thus by America if it wanted to, the same way it could have used the International Criminal Court as another flank in its multi-pronged attack on the sovereign leader of the Philippines, the price Duterte must pay for playing footsie with China. How ironic that for incessantly attacking a duly-elected leader, Maria Ressa gets rewarded with a Peace Prize. And how unfair that for interviewing Bongbong Marcos, Toni Gonzaga would be called all sorts of names and chased almost out of social media. And yet some people just cannot tell the difference by likening Maria Ressa's Nobel Prize to Hidilyn Diaz's Olympic Gold. What an insult to the honest, decent and God-fearing Hidilyn.

[@josiepens4480]

BULL!

[@juliusvillapando1676]

@@JB-xm8qi INDEED! FINALLY SOMEBODY WITH BRAIN!

[@myjourneyinuae5533]

You inspired us and you really deserved it👍👍👍 Proud to be Filipino 🙏🙏🙏

[@JB-xm8qi]

OPINION: Maria's problems do not make up the Philippine story Out of professional courtesy, I will not go into the situation in other news outlets. But right here in this paper, if you still see my friend, kumpare, and fellow columnist Leo Lastimosa being able to continue criticizing President Rodrigo Duterte almost daily, then it is fair to say that he is living and breathing proof that the press is not under assault in the Philippines as claimed by Maria Ressa. And in The Philippine STAR, sister paper of The FREEMAN, flagship of the Star Media Group and number one paper in the country, if you can still see Satur Ocampo, Federico Pascual, Jarius Bondoc, and others being able to openly criticize Duterte to a much wider global audience, then they are living and breathing proof as well that the press is not under assault in the Philippines, contrary to the same claims of Maria Ressa. Then aside from The FREEMAN and The Philippine STAR, there are hundreds of other papers, radio and TV stations and online news portals, as well as millions on social media that continue to go about their business without any intervention from government. But Maria Ressa never reported these to give context to her stories. She dwelt only on her own experience which she brought upon her own self by doing things deemed illegal under Philippine laws. Admittedly, there had to be extrajudicial killings in Duterte's crackdown on illegal drugs. But the vast majority fell in legitimate police operations. Most of the victims were armed and fought back and thus got killed. But did Maria Ressa even once put context to her stories by citing the unassailable fact that millions of loose firearms are in the hands of criminals? Never. Because doing so would have crushed her ugly stories about the Philippines. Democracy is alive in the Philippines. The justice system still works. Maria Ressa has her lawyers and has not been deprived her day in court. What extrajudicial cases there may have been, they are in the courts as well. The courts are free, without any interference from Duterte. To claim otherwise is to open up to the same claim Leni Robredo's father, who was appointed judge by Ferdinand Marcos himself, the father. In my immediately preceding column last Monday, there were two threads of thought that ran through it. One was that the Nobel Committee may have been negligent and careless in appreciating the Maria Ressa story, leading to its controversial decision to give her the Nobel Peace Prize. The other was that the United States, by whatever means, may have had a hand in the award to demonize and punish Duterte for his pivot to China. Nothing seems impossible for the US, whose clandestine cloak-and-dagger operations can work independently or in tandem with its giant legal and above-ground apparatus to achieve its one consuming aim of promoting and protecting its interests. From propping up to removing leaders (Marcos as prime example), assassinations, dropping atomic bombs on civilian populations, influencing elections (Magsaysay), name it, the US can do it. Compared to the above, the US can and most certainly would influence the grant of any award or prize if its interests so require, the Nobel included. And it is perfectly possible for Maria Ressa to be played thus by America if it wanted to, the same way it could have used the International Criminal Court as another flank in its multi-pronged attack on the sovereign leader of the Philippines, the price Duterte must pay for playing footsie with China. How ironic that for incessantly attacking a duly-elected leader, Maria Ressa gets rewarded with a Peace Prize. And how unfair that for interviewing Bongbong Marcos, Toni Gonzaga would be called all sorts of names and chased almost out of social media. And yet some people just cannot tell the difference by likening Maria Ressa's Nobel Prize to Hidilyn Diaz's Olympic Gold. What an insult to the honest, decent and God-fearing Hidilyn.

[@leti72lina]

I have all admiration to MS. Maria Ressa.

[@kuroyukihime3026]

Congratulations Ms. Maria Ressa.

[@JB-xm8qi]

OPINION: Maria's problems do not make up the Philippine story Out of professional courtesy, I will not go into the situation in other news outlets. But right here in this paper, if you still see my friend, kumpare, and fellow columnist Leo Lastimosa being able to continue criticizing President Rodrigo Duterte almost daily, then it is fair to say that he is living and breathing proof that the press is not under assault in the Philippines as claimed by Maria Ressa. And in The Philippine STAR, sister paper of The FREEMAN, flagship of the Star Media Group and number one paper in the country, if you can still see Satur Ocampo, Federico Pascual, Jarius Bondoc, and others being able to openly criticize Duterte to a much wider global audience, then they are living and breathing proof as well that the press is not under assault in the Philippines, contrary to the same claims of Maria Ressa. Then aside from The FREEMAN and The Philippine STAR, there are hundreds of other papers, radio and TV stations and online news portals, as well as millions on social media that continue to go about their business without any intervention from government. But Maria Ressa never reported these to give context to her stories. She dwelt only on her own experience which she brought upon her own self by doing things deemed illegal under Philippine laws. Admittedly, there had to be extrajudicial killings in Duterte's crackdown on illegal drugs. But the vast majority fell in legitimate police operations. Most of the victims were armed and fought back and thus got killed. But did Maria Ressa even once put context to her stories by citing the unassailable fact that millions of loose firearms are in the hands of criminals? Never. Because doing so would have crushed her ugly stories about the Philippines. Democracy is alive in the Philippines. The justice system still works. Maria Ressa has her lawyers and has not been deprived her day in court. What extrajudicial cases there may have been, they are in the courts as well. The courts are free, without any interference from Duterte. To claim otherwise is to open up to the same claim Leni Robredo's father, who was appointed judge by Ferdinand Marcos himself, the father. In my immediately preceding column last Monday, there were two threads of thought that ran through it. One was that the Nobel Committee may have been negligent and careless in appreciating the Maria Ressa story, leading to its controversial decision to give her the Nobel Peace Prize. The other was that the United States, by whatever means, may have had a hand in the award to demonize and punish Duterte for his pivot to China. Nothing seems impossible for the US, whose clandestine cloak-and-dagger operations can work independently or in tandem with its giant legal and above-ground apparatus to achieve its one consuming aim of promoting and protecting its interests. From propping up to removing leaders (Marcos as prime example), assassinations, dropping atomic bombs on civilian populations, influencing elections (Magsaysay), name it, the US can do it. Compared to the above, the US can and most certainly would influence the grant of any award or prize if its interests so require, the Nobel included. And it is perfectly possible for Maria Ressa to be played thus by America if it wanted to, the same way it could have used the International Criminal Court as another flank in its multi-pronged attack on the sovereign leader of the Philippines, the price Duterte must pay for playing footsie with China. How ironic that for incessantly attacking a duly-elected leader, Maria Ressa gets rewarded with a Peace Prize. And how unfair that for interviewing Bongbong Marcos, Toni Gonzaga would be called all sorts of names and chased almost out of social media. And yet some people just cannot tell the difference by likening Maria Ressa's Nobel Prize to Hidilyn Diaz's Olympic Gold. What an insult to the honest, decent and God-fearing Hidilyn.

[@imbay1789]

Thank you Mam.Ressa ,Congratulations.

[@raultomas4905]

I read the comments here and they are precisely what Ressa was talking about. Haay, ang katangaham talaga sa Pinas ngayon, abot langit .

[@jasonandaya3850]

Raul Tomas. Wala ka kasi sa pilipinas kaya Mas tanga ka nagapapapauto kasa charisma ni Ressa. Dilat na mga pinoy ngayun.

[@rott]

Raul Tomas... Kung totoo sinabi ni Jason Andaya, you have to stop talking. Just read the posts and be informed.

[@raultomas4905]

@@jasonandaya3850 bwahahaha

[@raultomas4905]

@@rott bwahahaha

[@poshcat2833]

My sentiments exactly!

[@gal1948]

I was starstrucked when I first saw her. And from then on, she instantly became my favorite. The way she speaks, oh, I just love it.

[@maggiebriones4908]

Very deserving one

[@JuvyleeGM]

Salute to you Ms. Maria Ressa.. I stand with the truth like you. May God guard and bless you more.

[@bennieantalan998]

Excellent speech godbless you Maria Ressa praud pinoy

[@senenmartinezjr.6058]

And then two years after , she would win the Nobel Peace Prize. How cool is that???!

[@jayoppie3021]

Her words resonate in these trying times I am in awe of her courage, truth and eloquence.

[@L_g12]

START OF THE GOOD NEWS FOR FILIPINOS...NEXT FROM ICC.

[@isabelitaabadicio8663]

Next

[@gosyf6690]

LOCK HIM UP LOCK HIM UP .. DUTAE GO HIDE BECAUSE THE ICC IS AFTER YOU.

[@rpfamulag]

Brilliant mind