MANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles, Manila Bureau) – It is fair to say that the main reason convicted Rappler CEO Maria Ressa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize was her fearless advocacy for free speech and freedom of the press. Or was it only HER free speech and RAPPLER’s freedom of the press?

Where is Ressa when she is needed in the Philippines? Has she gone to safer ground to escape the worst war zone she’s ever been in? Can she no longer hold the line? Has she been spared from death by a thousand cuts? Does she no longer care about Democracy?

Never mind about motivational speaker Rendon Labador. The cancellation of his Facebook and other socmed accounts is an issue between him and the vague “community standards” set by the online platforms.

But for SMNI News? That’a s different story. It is part of the fourth estate just like Ressa claims her Rappler to be.

The Facebook page of SMNI News has been “unavailable” all day. Even Rappler reported on it.

But why so quiet on Ressa’s end? Why isn’t she making any noise on press censorship? Or, as Facebook’s designated “fact checker” in the Philippines was she responsible for the downing of SMNI’s FB page?

Is it vendetta on Ressa’s part because SMNI beat Rappler in surveys on media trust among Filipinos? (Yes, Rappler has consistently rated as among the least-trusted news brands in the Philippines).

SMNI founder Pastor Apollo Quiboloy may be a wanted man, but he has not been convicted. Ressa has been.

So what gives?