Decriminalizing Libel

LIBEL SHOULD BE DECRIMINALIZED

LEGAL RESEARCH PAPER

Submitted to:

Atty. Jill Marie Lopez

By:

Lorenz Corpus

Gerald Dimalaluan

Dayne Espiritu

Neil Eustaquio

Ces Francisco

Darcee Galleon

Jason Gavina

Midi Gentica

Regina Gomez

Carlo Ilano

Noel Illescas

Nadia Karim

Angelo Lajarca

Group 2, 1D

SY 2010-11

table of contents

I. Definition of Libel 3

II. Defenses in Libel 5

III. Arguments for Decriminalizing Libel 8

IV. Bills for Decriminalizing Libel 12

V. Arguments against decriminalizing libel and Corresponding Rebuttals 14

VI. Conclusion 18

VII. Bibliography 20

VIII. Appendix 22

I. Definition of Libel

The Revised Penal code of the Republic of the Philippines defined libel in Title 13 Chapter 1 in Article 353 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 cause the dishonor, discredit, or contempt of a natural or juridical person, or to blacken the memory of one who is dead.”[1]

Defamation is actually the proper term for libel used in Article 353 of the Revised Penal Code[2] Libel is written defamation and slander is oral defamation.[3] It can be committed by means of writing, printing, lithography, engraving, radio, phonograph, painting, theatrical exhibition, cinematographic exhibition, or any similar means.[4]

1. Elements of Libel

The crime of libel, as defined in Article 353 of the Revised Penal Code, has the following elements: (1) Imputation of a crime, vice or defect, real or imaginary, or any act, omission, condition, status or circumstance; (2) Publicity or publication; (3) Malice; (4) Direction of such imputation at a natural or juridical person, or even a dead person and (5) Tendency to cause the dishonor, discredit or contempt of the person defamed. [5] Any of the imputations covered by Article 353

Bibliography: 1. Alcantara vs Ponce. 517 SCRA 74, 83 (2007) 2 3. Novicio v. Aggabao, 418 SCRA 138, 143 (2003) 4 5. Christinelli Fermin v. People, G.R. No. 157643 6 12. Aquino, Ramon C. The Revised Renal Code. Vol III, 1988 Edition. Central Lawbook Supply, Inc.: Quezon City 13 14. Reyes, Luis B. The Revised Penal Code: Criminal Law. Book Two. 1998 Edition. Rex Book Store: Manila. 16. Sack, Robert D. Sack on Defamation: Libel Slander and Related Problems. 2001 Edition PLI Press: New York. 17. Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility, Philippine Press Freedom Primer, 2007 G 18. Balbido, Ma Corinne T. A Liberated Free Press: Proposal to Decriminalize Libel. 2004 VIII [2] Luis B Reyes, The Revised Penal Code: Criminal Law Book Two, 920 (1998 ed.) [3] Balbido, Ma Corinne Tayag, A liberated Free Press: Proposal to Decriminalize Libel, 2004 [6] 3 Ramon C. Aquino, The Revised Penal Code 531 (1988 ed.), [7] Alonzo v [8] Novicio v. Aggabao, 418 SCRA 138, 143 (2003) [9] Balbido, supra note 3, at 11 [15] Cagurangan-Munar, A Second Long Look at the Libel Law, Philippine Free Press, April 7, 1993, at 36 [16] En Banc Resolution October 22, 1991 [17] Approved in A.M. No. 08-1-17-SC at its session of Jan. 22, 2008 [18] Reynato S [19] Senator Jinggoy Estrada, Legislative Agenda, available at http://www.senate.gov.ph/senators/sen_bio/jestrada_agenda.asp (last accessed September 26, 2010) [20] Senator Mar Roxas, Senate Bill No [21] Senator Francis G. Escudero, Senate Bill No. 1403, available at http://www.senate.gov.ph/lisdata/57075067!.pdf (last accessed September 26, 2010) [22] Senator Loren Legarda, Senate Bill No [23] Senator Edgardo J. Angara, Senate Bill No. 918, available at http://www.senate.gov.ph/lisdata/51774544!.pdf (last accessed September 26, 2010) [24] Statement of Former Justice Vicente V [28] Artemio V. Panganiban, Should Libel be Decriminalized?, available at http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/columns/view/20080426-132914/Should_libel_be_decriminalized%3F (last accessed September 26, 2010) [29] Robert D [30] In Re: Emil P. Jurado, 313 Phil. 119 (1995) [31] Sack, supra note 10, at 8