In the Philippines, protecting one’s reputation is a constitutional and statutory right. When someone makes false statements that harm your character, you have the right to seek redress through both criminal and civil law.

1. Defining the Offense: Libel and Slander

Under the Revised Penal Code (RPC) and the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, defamation is categorized based on the medium used.

Libel (Article 353, RPC): A public and malicious imputation of a crime, vice, or defect, real or imaginary, or any act, omission, condition, status, or circumstance tending to cause dishonor, discredit, or contempt of a person. This applies to written words, print, or similar means.
Slander (Article 358, RPC): Also known as "Oral Defamation." It is libel committed through spoken words.
Cyber Libel (R.A. 10175): Libel committed through a computer system or any other similar means which may be devised in the future. The penalties for cyber libel are one degree higher than traditional libel.

The Four Elements of Libel

To successfully prosecute a case for defamation, the following four elements must be present:

Imputation of a discreditable act: The statement must attribute a crime, vice, defect, or act that stains a person's reputation.
Publication: The statement must be communicated to a third person (other than the victim and the perpetrator).
Identity of the person defamed: It must be clear who the victim is, even if the name isn't explicitly mentioned.
Existence of Malice: The statement was made with an intent to injure. In Philippine law, malice is often "presumed by law" if the statement is defamatory, unless a justifiable motive is proven.

2. Preliminary Step: The Barangay Conciliation

Before filing a case in court, if both parties reside in the same city or municipality, the case must generally undergo Barangay Conciliation (Katarungang Pambarangay).

You must file a complaint with the Lupong Tagapamayapa.
If no settlement is reached, the Barangay Captain will issue a Certificate to File Action, which is a mandatory requirement for filing the case in court/prosecutor's office.
Exception: If the penalty for the crime exceeds one year of imprisonment (like Cyber Libel), or if the parties reside in different cities, you may bypass this step.

3. The Legal Process: Filing the Complaint

Step A: Filing with the Office of the City or Provincial Prosecutor

You do not go straight to a judge. You first file a Complaint-Affidavit for "Preliminary Investigation."

Drafting the Affidavit: You must prepare a sworn statement detailing the "who, what, when, where, and how" of the defamation.
Evidence Collection: Attach screenshots (for Cyber Libel), recordings, or affidavits from witnesses who heard or read the defamatory statements.
Filing: Submit the documents to the Prosecutor’s Office in the city where the statement was published or where the victim resides.

Step B: Preliminary Investigation

The Prosecutor will evaluate if there is Probable Cause.

The respondent (accused) will be issued a subpoena to submit a Counter-Affidavit.
If the Prosecutor finds enough evidence, they will file an "Information" (the formal charge) in court.
If not, the case will be dismissed.

Step C: The Trial

Once the case is in court, a warrant of arrest may be issued, and the accused can post bail. The case then proceeds to arraignment, pre-trial, and trial.

4. Alternative Charges: Perjury and Incriminatory Machinations

If the "false accusation" involves a formal legal proceeding, other charges might apply:

Perjury (Article 183, RPC): When a person willfully and corruptly asserts a falsehood under oath (e.g., lying in a counter-affidavit or on a witness stand).
Incriminating Innocent Persons (Article 363, RPC): Commonly known as "planting evidence." It involves performing an act that tends directly to implicate an innocent person in the commission of a crime.
Unjust Vexation: A "catch-all" provision for acts that annoy, irritate, or vex the victim without causing physical harm or qualifying as defamation.

5. Civil Liability: Damages

Aside from criminal jail time or fines, you can file a Civil Action for Damages under the Civil Code of the Philippines (Articles 19, 20, 21, and 33).

Type of Damage	Purpose
Moral Damages	For physical suffering, mental anguish, fright, and besmirched reputation.
Exemplary Damages	To set an example or correction for the public good.
Attorney’s Fees	To recover the costs spent on legal representation.

6. Crucial Defenses

In defamation cases, the accused may use the following defenses:

Privileged Communication: Statements made in the performance of a legal, moral, or social duty (e.g., a formal complaint filed with the Civil Service Commission).
Fair Comment: Dispassionate analysis or comments on matters of public interest or public figures.
Truth (with Good Motives): Proving the statement is true and was published with justifiable ends.