A MANILA court has dismissed the cyber libel case filed against Rappler chief executive officer Maria Ressa and reporter Rambo Talabong, their counsel Theodore Te said on Friday.

The case arose from a report used by Rappler that a professor of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde allows students to pass their thesis subject in exchange for money.

Te said that the complainant, professor Ariel Pineda, submitted and affirmed in court an affidavit of desistance.

“Mr. Pineda stated that the filing of the case arose out of a misappreciation of facts and that he was no longer interested in pursuing the case against both Mr. Talabong and Ms. Ressa,” Te said.

Pineda, program director of Export Management, filed cyber libel charges against Ressa and Talabong for an article titled “Thesis for sale: Benilde students say they paid P20,000 to pass” published in January last year.

Te said that the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 24 issued an order on August 10 dismissing the case.

Ressa and Talabong said they “were relieved that the case was dismissed.”

“We should decriminalize libel, which drains too much precious resources and time from journalists. I experienced this firsthand. No journalist should have to go through this. The law must protect journalists,” Talabong said.

“It’s a temporary relief, but the ongoing campaign of harassment and intimidation against me and Rappler continues. These ridiculous cases remind us all of the importance of independent journalism holding power to account. Now we at Rappler can focus on what we do best — journalism,” Ressa said.

Te said that filing a case for cyber libel has become the first option of those who disagree with a news report.

“Perhaps it may be time to consider seriously taking a second look at the Cybercrime Protection Act of 2012 particularly its provisions on cyber libel as a crime,” he added.