MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – Rappler is putting behind the controversy over the barring of its star reporter Pia Ranada from entering Malacañang.

As suggested by Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, Rappler was still free to cover the President by joining the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines (Focap).

That’s exactly what Rappler CEO Maria Ressa did, and as soon as her online news source signed up with Focap, she was unanimously elected the new president.

Congratulations to Ressa, but condolences are also in order.  By joining Focap, Rappler all but admitted that it was foreign-owned.

Case closed as far as the SEC decision to cancel Rappler’s media license is concerned.

Moral of the story: you can’t have your cake and eat it too.