11/30/2025
FUN FACTS FOR PEOPLE SPREADING FALSEHOODS:
Defamation in the Philippines is governed by Articles 353–355 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC) and, for online cases, Republic Act No. 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012). It is treated as both a criminal offense (punishable by fines and/or imprisonment) and a civil wrong (allowing claims for damages under Articles 19–21 and 26 of the Civil Code).
SPECIFIC REMEDIES:
• Filing a criminal complaint for libel/slander or cyber-libel with the Office of the City/Provincial Prosecutor, seeking fines up to PHP 40,000 and/or imprisonment of up to six (6) years;
• Instituting a civil action for damages (actual, moral, exemplary, and attorney’s fees) before the Regional Trial Court under Articles 19–21 and 26 of the Civil Code;
• Seeking a temporary restraining order or writ of preliminary injunction; and
• Reporting the matter to the National Privacy Commission or relevant platform for enforcement under data privacy and cybercrime laws.
