#FACTCHECK #FACTCHECKING #Duterte Spox congratulated Maria Ressa as the first Filipino to win a Nobel Prize, but also said she was a “convicted felon”. FALSE. She is NOT a “convicted felon”.

FACTCHECK

The presidential spokesperson congratulated today journalist and Rappler CEO Maria Ressa as the first Filipino to ever win a Nobel Prize, but also said she was a “convicted felon”. FALSE. Maria Ressa is being prosecuted by the Duterte administration at present and cases against her that have not been dismissed are either under appeal or being tried. She is an accused, not a “convicted felon”. She is not convicted by final judgment — all persons not convicted by final judgment are, under the Constitution, presumed innocent until proven guilty by final judgment.