Manila Judge Judge Rainelda Estacio-Montesa is set to promulgate this April 3 her decision on the cyber libel case against Rappler and its executive Maria Ressa.

The magistrate set the date following the conclusion of the trial of the case.

The judge proceeded with the trial after turning down back in November Ressa’s demurrer to evidence which sought the dismissal of the case due to the prosecution’s weak evidence presented during the trial.

Montesa pointed out it “behooves upon all the accused to adduce evidence to controvert those presented by the prosecution in a full blown trial.”

The case stemmed from the complaint of businessman Wilfredo Keng cocncerning the May 29, 2012 article published by Rappler and written by its former reporter Reynaldo Santos, titled “CJ Using SUVs of Controversial Businessman”.

The article reported that then Chief Justice Renato Corona was found using a 2011 Chevrolet Subarban which was found registered to Keng.

At that time Corona was facing an impeachment trial.

The article described the businessman as “shady” and involved in human trafficking and drug smuggling, among others.