MANILA, Philippines --- The acquittal of journalist and Nobel Laureate Maria Ressa of tax evasion charges is an "important win" for the country's press, Senator Risa Hontiveros said on Wednesday. The first division of the Court of Tax Appeals acquitted Ressa and her news outlet Rappler of four counts of tax evasion charges. READ: Rappler, Maria Ressa acquitted of tax evasion charge "The dismissal of these trumped-up cases is an important win for free and defiant journalism in the Philippines," Hontiveros said in a statement. "In a democracy, truth-telling and sharing independent views is not a crime - even if it irks and annoys the powers that be. I am one with our nation's f...Keep on reading: Maria Ressa’s acquittal of tax evasion raps a ‘win for free, defiant journalism’ — Hontiveros