First, the disclaimer. This is not intended as lawyerly advice. Neither does it refer a specific case or circumstance. Much less can this be considered as an offer to provide legal services or to advocate anything. It’s just one person’s opinion on a matter of increasing interest to bloggers and other denizens of cyberspace: what constitutes internet libel in the context of Philippine laws.

How is libel defined under Philippine laws ? Article 353 of the Revised Penal Code 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”.

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Technorati Tags: internet libel, libel, Philippine laws

Senatorial candidate Alan Peter Cayetano, lately the focus of First Dude Mike Arroyo’s volcanic ire, appears to be the target of “special ops” reportedly orchestrated by the Palace. Another Cayetano has filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for senator, a certain “Joselito Pepito Cayetano”, who now threatens to sabotage Alan’s run for the senate. Ballots marked “Cayetano”, without giving a first name, will not be credited to either and will be considered “spoiled”. In his COC, Pepito lists his nickname as “Peter”. Thus, ballots marked as “Peter Cayetano” will also be spoiled. Spoiler Pepito certainly is, as he seems to have emerged from nowhere to throw his hat in the national political arena.

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Technorati Tags: Alan Peter Cayetano, Cayetano

Manny Pacquiao has made it known that he intends to run for Congress in the May elections, representing his hometown of General Santos City in Southern Mindanao. I have a deep affection for the place, my folks having stayed in the Gen-San area for 12 years. I admire Manny as a boxer and a person. He is no doubt popular nationwide, but he stands to be knocked out of the political arena. Here’s why:

1. His opponent is no pushover - Unlike in his fight set for April 14, 2007 in San Antonio, Texas against a rumored Mexican patsy, Jorge Solis, he faces a political heavyweight. The incumbent he seeks to unseat is Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio, an opposition stalwart who has performed credibly in Congress. More importantly, the Antonino clan has been a major presence in Gen-San and South Cotabato politics for decades. They have the machinery, the connections, the money and the ruthless will to keep their political dynasty alive and thriving. The Antoninos claim to have the support of Gen-San city mayor Pedro Acharon Jr., the mayors of the towns of Polomolok, Tupi and Tampakan (which is part of the contested district), and the provincial governor, Gov. Daisy Fuentes.

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Technorati Tags: Manny Pacquiao

Historian Drew Gilpin Faust became the first female president in Harvard University‘ s 371-year old history. Faust, an alumna of Bryn Mawr College and dean of Harvard’s Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study, was elected by the 7-member Harvard Corporation, the name for the university’s governing board. Her appointment was ratified by the 30-member Board of Overseers, a panel of Harvard alumni. Faust will also be the first president who did not graduate from Harvard since 1672.

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Technorati Tags: Harvard University

The administration’s official senatorial lineup was formally announced today with the simultaneous filing by the wannabe senators of their certificates of candidacy at the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) main office in Intramuros, Manila. This was preceded by a Mass at the nearby Manila Cathedral and a press conference where the members of the slate, namely Ed Angara, Joker Arroyo, Mike Defensor, Jamalul Karim III, Vic Magsaysay, Tessie Aquino-Oreta, Carlos Petilla, Butch Pichay, Ralph Recto, Tito Sotto, Chavit Singson and Miguel Zubiri, each (except for Singson) gave a short speech before a partisan crowd.

I was there to support a close friend who is a born politician. This is a cliché but absolutely true in his case. It was also a chance to touch base with college buddies who have not lost their appetite for politics.

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Technorati Tags: Mike Defensor