Fake news promoters face up to P200T fine

The Cebu Citizens-Press Council (CCPC) urged Cebu journalists to be “more thorough and attentive in what they say or write without sacrificing the truth.”

President Rodrigo Duterte has signed Republic Act 10951, which adjusted, among others, the fines and penalties for libel imposed under the Revised Penal Code (RPC).

Under Article 355 of RPC, the fine for libel only ranges from P200 and P6,000 but under Section 91 of the new law, the fine already ranges between P40,000 and P1,200,000.

Cebu Media Legal Aid (Cemla) president Elias Espinoza said, though, that the jail penalty is still the same.

It ranges from six months and one day to two years and four months minimum, and from two years, four months and one day to four years and two months medium period.

The judge, however, may impose both the imprisonment and maximum fine. The new law does not exclude the civil action that may be brought by the offended party against the accused.

Cemla was asked by Cebu Citizens-Press Council (CCPC) executive director Pachico Seares to do research about the new law for Cebu media.

The fine for threatening to pub- lish and offer to prevent such publication for a compensation, otherwise called as extortion, has also been amended under Section 92 of the new law.

The previous fine ranges between P200 and P2,000. Now, it ranges between P40,000 and P400,000.

Likewise, those guilty of spreading fake news may have to pay a fine ranging from P40,000 and P200,000.

RA 10951, which was authored by Sen. Franklin Drilon, was penned by Duterte last Aug. 29. /