MANILA, Philippines — Former Senator Jinggoy Estrada slammed Rappler on Saturday for its alleged “irresponsible journalism” and “biased” reporting.

“Kasi irresponsible journalism yung ginagawa niyan eh. Sobrang biased. One-sided lagi. Gagawa ka ng mabuti, ang lalabas ay masama,” Estrada told local radio station DWIZ when asked about his reaction on the controversial arrest of Rappler’s chief executive Maria Ressa over a cyberlibel case.

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Estrada asserted that Rappler will dig up controversy on those who are allies of the administration.

“‘Yan ang ugali ng mga yan eh, basta kakampi mo ang administrasyon, gagawan at gagawan ka ng issue ng mga yan eh,” he said.

However, Estrada believed that freedom of the press should still be maintained but stressed that the media must still undertake responsible reporting.

“Oo naman kailangan na kailangan, by all means. Kaya lang we have to have a share of responsible reporting,” Estrada said.

On Wednesday, Ressa was arrested by agents of National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in connection with a cyberlibel charge.

READ: Rappler’s Maria Ressa arrested for cyberlibel

Ressa’s case stemmed from a complaint of businessman Wilfredo Keng regarding from a 2012 article titled “CJ using SUVs of controversial businessman.” The article claimed that then Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona, who was at the time under an impeachment trial, used a car owned by Keng.

Rappler cited “an intelligence report” that claimed that Keng was “under surveillance by the National Security Council for alleged involvement in illegal activities, namely human trafficking and drug smuggling.”

Keng denied the accusation and requested Rappler to take down the article. The article, however, remained online and was even updated on February 19, 2014. /jpv

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