Woman faces charges for online libel

CEBU, Philippines - For allegedly posting libelous statements on a social networking site, a 27-year-old woman is facing charges for violating Republic Act 10174 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

Prosecutor II Fatima Asjali-Maadil indicted Cherrie Mae Rabor, a resident of 16A San Miguel Street, Barangay Lorega-San Miguel, Cebu City for a violation of Section 4(c) (4) of the Cybercrime Prevention Act.

Mary Ann Cuevas, 29, a resident of 30 Barangay Lorega-San Miguel, alleged that on October 23, 2016 she was maligned by Rabor through social media by posting her pictures with defamatory captions, including labeling her as a “seducer” of married men.

Cuevas claimed to feel humiliated because of Rabor's post which exposed her to public ridicule.

Maadil directed Rabor to file her counter-affidavit to answer the allegations filed against her on November 8, 2016, but Rabor failed to do so. Thus, Maadil resolved the complaint based on the evidence given by Cuevas.

"In this case, it is clear that all the elements above-mentioned are present in the assailed Facebook posts. There is an imputation of discreditable act, the respondent was clearly identified as the original author of the Facebook posts, and the libelous imputation was duly published as it was seen and read by other Facebook users," Maadil said in her resolution.

"Apparently, the above-mentioned allegations remained undisputed despite subpoena sent to the respondent. Hence, for purposes of determining probable cause, the evidence adduced thus far preponderates and suffices to arrive at a well-engendered belief that violation of RA 10175 has probably been committed by respondent," the resolution further reads.

Maadil recommended P10,000 bail for Rabor's temporary liberty while the case is pending before the court. —/JBB (FREEMAN)