The recent incoming link from Abe’s site alerted me to his post on surviving a libel suit. Considering that these cases had been resolved and there’s no appeal/reconsideration (at least none that I know of), let’s have a discussion for purely reportorial and academic reasons.
The brief introduction on this series is Part I.
There were actually two complaints for libel – one for each of the two main respondents – before the Pasig City Prosecutor’s Office. The complaints are based on Article 353 of the Revised Penal Code, which defines libel 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. Read more
Tinkering with internet tools comes with the bonus of better understanding how existing laws apply to the third wave - that of technology, particularly the internet. This is also a great medium to disseminate and discuss ideas across borders, time, color or creed.