Slander, Oral Defamation

January 13, 2020 Ikit ng Bayan

Slander, Oral Defamation or in tagalog Paninirang Puri (Maling Pagtsi- Tsismis) is punishable by law under Art. 358 of the Revised Penal Code. In order to successfully pursue a legal case against a person who tends to prejudice a reputation, dishonor or discredit an office, trade, business or any means of livelihood the following must be proven:

There is an imputation of a crime, the imputation is made publicly, Imputation must be made maliciously, Imputation is directed against a natural or juridical person, Imputation tends to cause dishonor, discredit, or contempt of a person or tends to blacken the memory of one who is dead. Slander or Oral Defamation shall be punished by arresto mayor in its maximum period to prison correccional in its minimum period if it is a serious and insulting nature; for a Serious Slander is punishable by imprisonment of 4 months and 1 day to 2 years and 4 months.

Otherwise the penalty shall be arresto menor or a fine not exceeding 200 pesos only when it is a Simple Slander. While Slander by deed is a penalty of arresto mayor in its maximum period to prison correccional in its minimum period or a fine ranging from 200 to 1K pesos shall be imposed upon any person who shall perform any act not included and punished in this title, which shall cast dishonor, discredit or contempt upon another person.

If said act is not a serious nature then the penalty shall be arresto menor or a fine of 200 pesos only. Meanwhile in Libel, is a Public and Malicious imputation of a crime?

In Art. 355 A libel committed by means of writing, printing, lithography, engraving, radio, phonograph, painting, theatrical exhibition, cinematographic or any similar means shall be punished by prison correccional in its minimum and medium periods or a fine ranging from 200 to 6,000 pesos, or both in additional to the civil action which may be brought by the offended party.

Nowadays, Social Media is a common tool for people in a way of communication. However, once a post is made available for the others to see, it does not give us the opportunity to say offensive towards a certain person. So be careful what we click and post.

Because Libellous statement can ruin a person’s reputation and can ruin yours as well. In the Bible (KJV) Matt. 7: 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.