Cyber Bullying in The Philippines

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Cyber bullying in the Philippines

Posted on March 14, 2017
Philippines
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The pen is mightier than the sword or so the adage goes. When this was once said, it was to highlight the power of
thoughts and ideas over brute force and violence as a way to effect change. Today, the pen can very well be a tap of
a button, as social media has reinvented our way of life anew — for good or for bad.
Regardless of political af liation or social philosophy, it is undeniable how the power of social media has shaped
recent events. The perceived anonymity that social media brings tends to shed people’s normal sensibilities or
even basic civility. We therefore sometimes see posts or commentaries meant to embarrass competence and
intelligence, gender or just plain rumour mongering.
Such acts done behind the cloak of a social media platform may have legal implications under Philippine Laws.
The Anti-Bullying Act of 2013 (RA 10627)

This law nds applicability in school-related bullying, student-student bullying in particular, which covers those
uttered in social media. “Bullying”, as de ned, refers to any severe or repeated use by one or more students of a
written, verbal or electronic expression, or a physical act or gesture, or any combination thereof, directed at
another student that has the effect of actually causing or placing the latter in reasonable fear of physical or
emotional harm or damage to his property; creating a hostile environment at school; infringing on the rights of
https://www.inhousecommunity.com/article/cyber-bullying-philippines/ 1/13
another; or materially or substantially disrupting the education process. (Sec. 2, RA 10627) These acts are
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collectively called “cyber bullying” when committed online. (Sec. 2-D, RA 10627) This covers social bullying aiming
tomycareerinlaw
belittle another individual
JOBS or group
About Us  or 
gender-based
 bullying that humiliates another on the basis of perceived
or actual sexual orientation and gender identity. (Sec. 3, B-1, RA 10627, Implementing Rules).
The Revised Penal Code and the Cybercrime Prevention Act

One who publicly or maliciously imputes to another a crime, vice, 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 blacken the memory of one who is dead may be liable for libel under this Code. (Art. 353, RPC) These
acts are more severely punished when done online in addition to the civil action for damages which may be
brought by the offended party. (Sec. 4(c-4), RA 10175) Cyberlibel holds liable only the original author of the post
(Sec. 5(3), Implementing Rules of RA 10175). Likers or sharers of a post cannot be held liable under this law.
Slander may also be applicable to one who, in heat of anger, utters statements that are highly defamatory in
character. (Art. 358, RPC) Intriguing Against Honour may also nd applicability when the principal purpose is to
blemish the honour or reputation of a person. (Art. 364, RPC) However, the requirement is that the post be
directed to a speci c person. Hence, a blind item is not as actionable as a named-post in social media.
The Civil Code on Damages

One who is aggrieved by a defamatory post in social media may nd refuge in the provisions of the Civil Code on
Damages. (Art. 2176, Civil Code) One who posts in social media, causing damage to the reputation of another may
be liable to the subject for damages and this can be a valid cause of action under the law. Such posts must tend to
pry to the privacy and peace of mind of another, meddle or disturb the private life or family relations of another,
intrigue to cause another to be alienated from his friends or vex or humiliate another on account of his religious
beliefs, lowly station in life, place of birth, physical defect or other personal condition. (Art. 26, Civil Code)
The Labour Code on Just Causes for Termination

An employee who spreads rumors or intrigues against a co-worker or his superior or vice versa, or who does any
act similar to cyberlibel, slander, intriguing against honour or even prying into the privacy of another may be a
just cause for termination if embodied in the company policy in addition to all other causes of action available to
him under the laws mentioned. (Sec. 5.2(g), D.O 147-15)
However, all these will only be a valid cause of action to one who is the subject of the post and who is aware of the
post directed to him.
Freedom of speech must not be infringed but this right is not without any limitations. In the end, it is always best
to devote the stroke of our ngers and the clicks of our mouse to intellectual discourse that matter rather than risk
being held liable under the law. A er all, the power of our minds should be mightier than any sword there is.
Note: This article was originally published in Business World, a newspaper of general circulation in the
Philippines
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3/21/2019 Cyber bullying in the Philippines - In-House Community

All Articles  Find a Firm  FindJoin the Community

mycareerinlaw JOBS About Us   

ACCRALAW Tower, 2nd Ave. Cor. 30th St., Bonifacio

The Anti-Bullying Act of 2013 (RA 10627)

The Revised Penal Code and the Cybercrime Prevention Act

The Civil Code on Damages

The Labour Code on Just Causes for Termination

Related Articles by Firm

mycareerinlaw JOBS About Us   

Philippines: The right to know – Freedom of information in the Supreme Court

mycareerinlaw JOBS About Us   

Investments for the environment

The PCC’s Joint Venture Guidelines

mycareerinlaw JOBS About Us   

How the Mental Health Act affects employees

The Ease of Doing Business Act tapers red tape

mycareerinlaw JOBS About Us   

Much EndO about nothing

Philippines: Proposed rules and regulations on crowdfunding

mycareerinlaw JOBS About Us   

Revised guidelines for continuous trial of criminal cases in the Philippines

Virtual currency in the Philippines: Recognition and regulation

mycareerinlaw JOBS About Us   

Protection of women employees in the Philippines

mycareerinlaw JOBS About Us   

PHILIPPINES: The internet and doing business in the Philippines

Philippines: Psychological disorders in the workplace

Clarifying the role of contractors and subcontractors

Dollar-denominated securities in relation to Corporation Code’s provisions on capital

Uber/GrabCar drivers: Independent contractors or employees?

Price xing in the context of the Philippine Competition Act

Implementation of the data privacy act in Philippines now in full swing

Levelling the playing eld in the Philippines

Age discrimination in the workplace

Green jobs: greening the Philippine labour sector

Restrictive covenants in employment contracts

Make our system work: litigation practice expedited

An overview of Philippine Data Privacy Law

New competition law for the Philippines

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Joint Venture Guidelines of the Philippine Reclamation Authority

mycareerinlaw JOBS About Us   

Much EndO about nothing

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Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz Law Of ces (ACCRALAW)

Cyndy P. dela Cruz

Key Person Pro le

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Head of Tax - Family Of ce, 13+ yrs PQE, Hong Kong

Legal Director - Chemicals, 10+ yrs PQE, Chengdu