Woman charged over libelous Facebook post

CEBU, Philippines — A resident of Barangay San Nicolas in Cebu City is facing libel charges for allegedly calling a woman a “whore” on social media.

Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office has charged Maricar Dosdos with libel under Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

Prosecutor II Misty Leah Escolar-Hupp found probable cause to indict Dosdos before the court.

"In this case, all the elements of libel has been sufficiently established. Calling complainant a burikat or a whore is indeed defamatory. It is, no doubt, an imputation of a vice or defect that tends to cause dishonor, discredit or contempt of the person being adverted to," read the resolution.

Hupp recommended P24,000 bail for Dosdos’ temporary liberty while the case is pending before the court.

On March 24, 2017, Maria Cathrina Villegas, the complainant, posted a photo of herself and her friend on her Facebook account.

Dosdos allegedly commented “whores.”

Villegas said Dosdos called them names prior to her comment on Facebook.

Hupp issued a subpoena on February 9, 2018 directing Dosdos to file her counter-affidavit, but failed.

Thus, Hupp was constrained to resolve the complaint sans controverting evidence. (FREEMAN)