Benham opens up to China, Rappler is shuttered

It is quite unfortunate that Mr. Duterte himself believes most of the accusations against Rappler and its Omidyar connection.

How legitimate are these accusations?

Many people, myself included, want to read printed words on paper and hardly follow online journalism. I go to Rappler to read the op- ed contributions of a young UP professor who is a friend of my kid and the articles written by the wife of my late cousin. People you know. You notice that the online site covers everything of interest to netizens, from PBA/ NBA to tourism stories and food trips. The opinion section is hard- hitting, yes, but what is an opinion piece that does not afflict the comfortable and the powerful?

You get a sense that it patterns - ton Post templates, with lots and lots of “explainers.” Bring down the government via fake news? Read it a thousand times and no such hidden agenda. Maybe the Rapper staffers feel that they are better than the rest, but that is hardly subverting the DU30 administration.

Meanwhile, the Rappler/ Omidyar- obsessed swampland has no comment whatsoever on a treasonous thing that is going on – China surveying the riches of the Benham Rise.

China is a country that has been grabbing Philippine territory, driving away Filipino fishermen from our own territorial waters and want to control the maritime concerns in the West Philippine Sea. China extends no hand of friendship. It seals deals to promote its national interests and get access to the mineral resources of so- called partner countries.

It is both ruthless and pragmatic and in all its foreign deals, it gets the better end of those deals.

And yet, here we are – obsessed with the little investments of Omidyar in Rappler and quiet about the silent surveillance of our Last Frontier. Pathetic.