MUCH has been said about press freedom and the loss of freedom of expression from the problems Rappler and ABS-CBN Corp. had with regulatory agencies. The problems were of their own doing because they chose to game the system to their advantage. The two media organizations drilled like there was no tomorrow regarding the impeachment charges filed against the late Chief Justice (CJ) Renato Corona. There was no fair play in media then.

The CJ was guilty in the public arena and this background contributed to a decision that remains controversial to this day. From eight grounds for impeachment, Corona was found guilty of one — for violations in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN).