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EXCUSE ME, ONLINE LIBEL IS A CRIME!
“Online libel is a crime with 12 years imprisonment penalty”
THOSE who do not know, “cyber libel is a crime.” Under Article 353 of the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines, libel is defined as a public and malicious imputation of a crime, or of a vice or defect, real or imaginary, or any act, omission, condition, status or circumstance tending to discredit or cause the dishonor or contempt of a natural or juridical person, or to blacken the memory of one who is dead. Thus, the elements of libel are: (a) imputation of a discreditable act or condition to another; (b) publication of the imputation; (c) identity of the person defamed; and, (d) existence of malice. [Daez v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 47971, 31 October 1990, 191 SCRA 61, 67].
[Sa mga hindi nakaka-alam, ang “online libel ay isang krimen.” Ayon sa Arikulo 353 ng Revised Penal Code ng Pilipinas, ang libelo ay nangangahulugang isang pambluliko at malisyosong maling hinalang isang krimen, o isang vice o depekto, tunay o imahinasyon, o anumang aksiyon, pagbabawas, kondisyon, kalagayan o circumstance na naglalayong siraan o magbunga ng pagwalang-dangal o paghamak ng isang natural o juridical na persona, o upang sirain ang ala-ala ng isang patay na. Kaya, ang mga elemento ng libelo ay: (a) maling paghihinala ng isang paninirang aksiyon o kondisyon sa iba; (b) paglalahathala ng maling hinala; (c) paninirang-puri sa isang tao; at, (d) ang pagkakaroon ng malisya. [Daez v. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 47971, 31 October 1990, 191 SCRA 61, 67].]
In libel cases, the question is not what the writer of an alleged libel means, but what the words used by him mean.
[Sa mga kasong libelo, hindi ang tanong ay kung ano pakahulugan ng manunulat na pinararatangan ng libelo, kundi kung ano ang kahulugan ng mga salitang kaniyang ginamit].
Jurisprudence has laid down a test to determine the defamatory character of words used in the following manner, viz:
“Words calculated to induce suspicion are sometimes more effective to destroy reputation than false charges directly made. Ironical and metaphorical language is a favored vehicle for slander. A charge is sufficient if the words are calculated to induce the hearers to suppose and understand that the person or persons against whom they were uttered were guilty of certain offenses, or are sufficient to impeach their honesty, virtue, or reputation, or to hold the person or persons up to public ridicule. . . . ” [Lacsa v. Intermediate Appellate Court, 161 SCRA 427 (1988) citing U.S. v. O'Connell, 37 Phil. 767 (1918)]
An allegation is considered defamatory if it ascribes to a person the commission of a crime, the possession of a vice or defect, real or imaginary, or any act, omission, condition, status or circumstances which tends to dishonor or discredit or put him in contempt.
[Ang isang alegasyon ay maituturing na paninirang-puri kung ipinaparatang sa isang tao ang isang krimen, ang pagtataglay ng vice (masamang kabihasnan) o kasiraan, tunay o imahinasyon, o anumang aksiyon, pagbabawas, kondisyon, kalagayan o sirkemstansiya na nagpapawalang-dangal o naninirang-puro o naglalagay sa kaniya sa kahihiyan (paghamak).
WHAT ABOUT ONLINE LIBEL?
Republic Act No. 10175 of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 was signed into law in September 12, 2012. Despite criticisms it received from netizens, but the Supreme Court acknowledge libel’s existence in cyberspace.
[Ang batas ukol sa libelo sa internet ay ang Republic Act No. 10175 na tinatawag din na “Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012” na napagtibay na batas noong Setyembre 12, 2012. Sa kabila ng kritisismo na tina tinanggap, subalit kinilala ng Supreme Court ang pag-iral ng krimeng libelo sa cyberspace o sa internet.]
The 2010 Yuchengco Internet libel suit set a fitting jurisprudence to all these. The decision "ordered the Makati City Regional Trial Court (RTC) to dismiss the libel complaint filed by the advertising arm of the Yuchengco Group of Companies (YGC) against a group of parents who put up an Internet web site for individuals affected by the collapse of Pacific Plans Inc. (PPI), a pre-need company that is a subsidiary of the YGC-owned Great Pacific Life Assurance Corp."
According to the ruling, online libel cases should be tried in the place where the subject article or post was first published or read by the complainant. It overturned the 2007 resolution from then Secretary of Justice Raul Gonzales that "the crime of Internet libel was non-existent."
WHAT IS THE PENALTY FOR ONLINE LIBEL?
In a news article published by “News Around The World” gives light on this matter:
“Filipinos who libel others on Facebook, Twitter or elsewhere online could be jailed for up to 12 years under a law that went into effect Wednesday in the Philippines.
“The new law against cyber-crime includes a disputed provision that imposes much steeper penalties for committing libel on the Internet than offline. It allows police to shut down websites and do some monitoring of email and online activity without a warrant.” [“FILIPINOS FACE 12 YEARS IN PRISON FOR ONLINE LIBEL” News From Around The World, October 4, 2012]
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/world_now/2012/10/philippines-prison-online-libel-new-cyber-law.html
A news article published by “ABS-CBN.com” gives a further explanation on this mater:
“”MANILA, Philippines - A person found guilty of libelous comments on the Internet could spend up to 12 years in prison with no possibility of parole, a lawyer warned Wednesday.
“Libel committed on Twitter, Facebook, blogs, and other online content was made a more serious crime compared to printed libel because of to the newly approved anti-cybercrimes law or Republic Act 10175, according to Atty. Harry Roque, professor of constitutional law at the University of the Philippines.
"Three times longer imprisonment. Facebook and Twitter may lead to 12 years in jail," he said. "Imprisonment for e-libel: 6 years and 1 day up to 12 years."
"Conviction for e-libel now comes with a definite prison term. Increased prison term provided by new law makes convicts ineligible for parole," he explained.
“In comparison, he said the penalty for printed libel set by Revised Penal Code is only 6 months and one day to 4 years and 2 months.” [“INTERNET LIBEL IN PH MAY LEAD TO 12 YEARS IN PRISON” by Jojo Malig, ABS-CBNnews.com, Sep. 19, 2012]
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/-depth/09/19/12/internet-libel-may-lead-12-years-prison
However, those slap with an online libel case, don’t worry, the court is the right and legitimate venue to prove all your accussations, but failing to do so, you will face a 12 years imprisonment penalty.
[Labindalawangtaong pagkabilanggo ang parusa sa mapatunayang nagkasala ng libelo sa internet. Subalit, ang mga nakasuhan ng libelo ay hindi dapat mag-alala sapagkat ang korte ang pinaka-angkop na venue para ilabas ninyo ang inyong mga ebidensiya at patunayan ang inyong mga legasyon, subalit kung matalo sa kasong libelo sa internet ay nahaharap sa 12 taong pagkabilanggo.]