Aranador, Reynamie Cyber Libel Advocacy

To Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace: The Responsibilities of Speech in the Digital Age

We say a picture is worth a thousand words, so why do we underestimate the power of just a few? On social media, a single post can traverse the globe in seconds, shaping beliefs and attacking reputations. With every user free to share their “opinion,” how do we draw the line between protected speech and defamation? When one careless update ruins years of hard work, can we still call it freedom? It’s time to rethink our digital responsibilities and perhaps ask our platforms to do the same.

Understanding Cyber Libel

Under Article 353 of the Revised Penal Code, cyber 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 cause the dishonor, discredit, or contempt of a natural or juridical person, or to blacken the memory of one who is dead, and committed through a computer system or any other similar means which may be devised in the future. Cyber libel is punishable by imprisonment of 6 years and 1 day to 10 years, as it carries a penalty one degree higher than traditional libel under the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 (Nicolas and De Vega Law offices).

A Real-World Case: Dalipe vs The Manila Times

Words are powerful; they can build someone’s reputation or destroy a life’s worth of credibility in an instant. This is why we must be mindful of what we say or publish, especially in the digital age where information spreads fast. A real-life example is House Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe’s filing of a cyber libel complaint against The Manila Times over an article published on April 23, titled “Leaked paper lays out poll attack plan.” The article alleged that Dalipe was involved in a strategy to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte and disqualify her allies, citing a leaked document that supposedly bore his signature. Dalipe strongly denied the allegations, calling them fabricated and baseless, and filed the complaint to protect his reputation and hold the publishers accountable (Carreon, 2025).

What to Do If You’re a Victim of Cyber Libel

In today’s digital age, filing a cyber libel complaint in the Philippines means speaking up, taking action, and refusing to let someone else’s words define your worth. Start by documenting all evidence, including screenshots, URLs and relevant electronic data, ensuring they are securely backed up. Consult with a Philippine-licensed attorney to assess the case and prepare the necessary complaint-affidavit, which should include a clear narrative of the defamatory statements and supporting evidence. Submit the complaint to the appropriate prosecutor’s office, where a preliminary investigation will determine if there is probable cause for the case to proceed. If there is, the prosecutor will file the case in court, and a trial will follow where both parties present evidence. If the accused is found guilty, they may face imprisonment, fines, or both, and either party may appeal the decision to higher courts (Respico & Co., 2024).  In this digital era, where speech has the power to build or destroy, it is not only crucial to speak responsibly but also to take action when our reputations are under attack.

The Call for Digital Responsibility

To speak now or forever hold your peace isn't just a reflection of our legal and social obligations, it’s a reminder of how powerful our words hold, especially in today's generation. Nowadays, it’s easy to post, comment and share but recovering after becoming a victim of cyber libel is far more difficult. We may think what we click only happens on screen, but it has real world consequences and often shapes how others see us. What may seem like just “sharing information” could be the start of someone’s public humiliation, emotional distress, or even a legal battle. As content creators, journalists, and social media users, we are responsible for maintaining truth, fairness, and empathy.  Before clicking 'post' or 'share,' let us pause and consider whether it is true, necessary, and kind.  In an age when speech is a powerful tool, the decision to speak or remain silent may influence the impact we have on others.  Let us use our voices wisely, to inform and not to harm.

Sources

• Nicolas and De Vega Law Offices. (n.d.). Cyber Libel or Online Defamation in the Philippines.

• Respico & Co. (2024). When is a Person Liable for the Crime of Cyber Libel?

• Carreon, J. (2025). Zamboanga representative Dalipe files cyber libel case against The Manila Times.