After staying silent on the issue for three days, Malacañang finally made a statement, despite it being a throwaway, on Rappler CEO Maria Ressa's historic Nobel Peace Prize win.
On October 8, the Norwegian Nobel Committee decided to award the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize to Ressa and Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov "for their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, which is a precondition for democracy and lasting peace."
Reporters asked for Malacañang's statement on the development but the Palace was radio silent until Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque casually mentioned it in his press briefing on Monday, October 11.
"Binabati natin si Maria Ressa bilang kauna-unahang Pilipino na nagwagi sa Nobel Peace Prize (We congratulate Maria Ress for being the first Filipino ever to win the Nobel Peace Prize)," he said during his opening statement.
However, Roque was forced to elaborate after reporters asked more questions. He said the Palace was happy for Ressa's win.
"It's a victory for a Filipina and we're very happy for that kasi wala naman pong 'utak-talangka' dito sa Malacañang (no one's 'utak-talangka' here in Malacañang)," he said.
Utak-talangka is a Filipino term that refers to a person who puts down others or discredits or downplays their success.
The Palace official said that despite her historic win, Ressa is still a "convicted felon" in her own country.
"It is true that there are individuals who feel that Maria Ressa still has to clear her name before our courts as, in fact, she's a convicted felon for libel, cyber libel in the Philippines, and she faces other cases in the Philippines. That's for the courts to decide," Roque said.
It is no secret to the public that President Duterte has an issue with Ressa's online news organization Rappler. The Palace in 2018 even barred Rappler reporters from covering presidential events or entering Malacañang's New Executive Building (NEB) where the press briefings take place after Rappler published a story about a controversial frigate deal and mentioned the name of Duterte's long-time aide Senator Bong Go.