In the Philippine legal system, while the law provides strong protections for victims of sexual assault, it also acknowledges the devastating impact of malicious and false accusations. Being wrongfully accused of a crime as heinous as rape can lead to irreparable damage to one’s reputation, career, and mental well-being.

If a person has been falsely accused, there are specific legal avenues available under the Revised Penal Code (RPC) and other pertinent laws to seek justice and hold the accuser accountable.

1. Incriminatory Machinations

The primary criminal charge for planting evidence or framing someone is found under Article 363 of the Revised Penal Code: Incriminating an Innocent Person.

Definition: This involves performing any act which tends directly to cause a false prosecution of an innocent person.
The "Planting" Distinction: Jurisprudence (notably Campanilla v. People) clarifies that Article 363 typically refers to the "planting" of evidence or "machinations" rather than the act of giving false testimony in court.
Penalty: The penalty is generally arresto mayor (one month and one day to six months).

2. Perjury

If the false accusation was made under oath—such as in a verified complaint-affidavit filed before the Prosecutor’s Office—the accuser may be liable for Perjury under Article 183 of the RPC.

Elements:

The accused made a statement under oath or executed an affidavit upon a material matter.
The statement was made before a competent officer authorized to receive and administer oaths.
The accused made a willful and deliberate assertion of a falsehood.
The sworn statement is required by law.

Significance: This is the most common route when an accuser lies in their sworn statements to initiate a preliminary investigation.

3. False Testimony

While Perjury applies to the affidavit, False Testimony applies to statements made during a trial. Depending on the outcome of the rape case, the false accuser could face charges under:

Article 180: False testimony against a defendant.
Article 181: False testimony favorable to the defendant.
Article 182: False testimony in civil cases.

If a person is convicted of rape based on false testimony and is sentenced to death or reclusion perpetua, the person who gave the false testimony faces significantly higher penalties.

4. Libel and Cyberlibel

If the false accusation was spread publicly—through traditional media or social media—to dishonor or discredit the accused, a charge of Libel (Article 353, RPC) or Cyberlibel (R.A. 10175) may be filed.

Malice in Law: If the accusation is proven false, malice is often presumed.
Impact: Cyberlibel carries a higher penalty than traditional libel due to the reach and permanence of the internet.

5. Civil Liability: Damages

Under the Civil Code of the Philippines, a falsely accused person can sue for Damages based on Abuse of Rights (Article 19) and Moral Damages (Article 2219).

Malicious Prosecution: To win a civil suit for malicious prosecution, the plaintiff must prove:

The defendant was the prosecutor or the one who instigated the action.
The termination of the case was in favor of the accused (acquittal or dismissal).
The prosecutor acted without probable cause.
The prosecutor was motivated by legal malice (an intent to vex or humiliate).

Important Note: A simple acquittal in a rape case does not automatically mean the accuser is guilty of a crime. The court must find that the accusation was fabricated with the deliberate intent to frame the innocent.

Procedural Requirements

To successfully file a case against a false accuser, the following steps are generally required:

Termination of the Rape Case: It is difficult to file for Perjury or Malicious Prosecution while the rape case is still pending. The case should ideally be dismissed at the Prosecutor level or result in an acquittal in court.
Gathering Evidence of Falsity: You must prove not just that you are "not guilty," but that the accuser lied. This involves showing contradictions, proof of physical impossibility (e.g., being in a different country), or evidence of a motive to frame (e.g., extortion or revenge).
Filing with the Prosecutor: A complaint-affidavit for Perjury or Incriminating an Innocent Person is filed before the Office of the City or Provincial Prosecutor.

Summary Table: Legal Remedies

Action	Legal Basis	Context
Perjury	Art. 183, RPC	Lying in the Complaint-Affidavit or during the Preliminary Investigation.
Incriminating an Innocent Person	Art. 363, RPC	Acts or machinations intended to trigger a false prosecution (framing).
False Testimony	Art. 180-182, RPC	Lying while testifying on the witness stand during trial.
Cyberlibel	R.A. 10175	Spreading the false accusation on Facebook or other digital platforms.
Malicious Prosecution	Art. 2219, Civil Code	Seeking monetary compensation for moral suffering and legal fees.