Harassment and threats, whether physical, verbal, psychological, or committed through electronic means, are serious offenses under Philippine law. The legal framework provides multiple layers of protection—criminal, civil, quasi-judicial, and administrative—designed to punish offenders, prevent further harm, and compensate victims. This article comprehensively discusses all available remedies under current Philippine law as of December 2025.

I. Criminal Remedies

A. Revised Penal Code (Act No. 3815, as amended)

Grave Threats (Article 282)
Punishable by prisión correccional (6 months and 1 day to 6 years) if the threat is conditional and the offender attains his purpose or demands money/property.
Penalty is lowered if the threat is made without attaining the purpose or in writing/email/text.
The threat must cause fear of imminent wrongful injury (e.g., “I will kill you if you don’t withdraw the case”).
Light Threats (Article 283)
Punishable by arresto mayor (1 month and 1 day to 6 months).
Covers threats to commit a wrong not constituting a crime (e.g., “I will slap you in public” or “I will ruin your reputation”).
Other Light Threats (Article 285)
Specifically covers threats made in the heat of anger, punishable by arresto menor (1 to 30 days) or fine.
Bond for Good Behavior (Article 284)
In both grave and light threats, the court may require the accused to post a bond not to molest the complainant for a period not exceeding 6 months.
Grave Coercions (Article 286)
Punishable by prisión correccional.
When violence or intimidation is used to compel another to do something against his will or to prevent him from doing something not prohibited by law.
Light Coercions / Unjust Vexation (Article 287)
The most commonly used provision for harassment cases.
Punishable by arresto menor or fine not exceeding P40,000.
Covers any human conduct that annoys, irritates, or vexes an innocent person (persistent unwanted messages, following, prank calls, spreading rumors, etc.).
Jurisprudence is extremely broad: repeated text messages, catcalling, malicious staring, and even posting embarrassing photos without consent have been penalized as unjust vexation.
Alarms and Scandals (Article 155)
Used when the threat or harassment is done in public and causes alarm (e.g., shouting death threats in a public place).

B. Republic Act No. 9262 – Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004

Applies when the victim is a woman or her child, and the offender is a current or former husband, live-in partner, or someone with whom she has/had a sexual or dating relationship.

Covers:

Physical violence
Sexual violence
Psychological violence (repeated verbal abuse, threats, harassment, public ridicule, marital infidelity that causes mental suffering)
Economic abuse

Key Remedies:

Criminal prosecution (imprisonment from 1 month to 20 years depending on the act)
Mandatory issuance of Barangay Protection Order (BPO), Temporary Protection Order (TPO, valid 30 days), and Permanent Protection Order (PPO, valid indefinitely)
Automatic inclusion of children as protected persons
Custody of children automatically awarded to the abused mother during pendency of the case

C. Republic Act No. 11313 – Safe Spaces Act (Bawal Bastos Law)

The most comprehensive law against gender-based sexual harassment in streets, public spaces, workplaces, educational/training institutions, and online.

Punishable acts include but are not limited to:

Catcalling, wolf-whistling, leering
Persistent unwanted messages/comments
Flashing, public masturbation
Groping, stalking
All forms of online sexual harassment (posting private photos without consent, threats of sharing intimate images, sexist slurs, etc.)

Penalties:

Street/public spaces: Fine P1,000–P300,000 or imprisonment 1–12 months depending on gravity
Workplace/education: Administrative and criminal liability under RA 7877 (Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995) plus criminal penalties under Safe Spaces Act
Online violations: Punishable under both RA 11313 and RA 10175

D. Republic Act No. 10175 – Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 (as amended by RA 11449)

Cyber threats and online harassment are punished more severely:

Online threats: penalty one degree higher than that provided under the RPC
Online libel (often used in harassment via social media)
Cyberstalking, doxxing, revenge porn (sharing intimate images without consent) – punishable by prisión mayor (6 years and 1 day to 12 years)
Computer-related identity theft used in harassment

E. Other Special Laws

RA 9995 – Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act (sextortion, revenge porn)
RA 7877 – Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995 (work and education; remains in full force, supplemented by Safe Spaces Act)
RA 10627 – Anti-Bullying Act of 2013 (for minors in schools)

II. Civil Remedies

Independent Civil Action for Damages
Victims may file a separate civil action for moral, exemplary, and actual damages under Articles 19, 20, 21, 26, 32, 33, 34, and 2176 of the Civil Code even if no criminal case is filed.
Protection Orders
- Under RA 9262: TPO/PPO issued by RTC Family Courts
- Under Safe Spaces Act: Protection orders available through courts
- Violation of protection order is a separate criminal offense
Injunction
Courts may issue preliminary or permanent injunctions to stop the harassment (e.g., restraining order prohibiting the offender from coming within 500 meters of the victim).

III. Quasi-Judicial and Administrative Remedies

Barangay Protection Order (BPO) – RA 9262
Issued by the Punong Barangay within 24 hours of filing. Valid for 15 days. Extremely fast remedy.
Workplace Harassment
- Committee on Decorum and Investigation (CODI) required in all government and private offices
- Administrative sanctions up to dismissal
- DOLE may issue compliance orders
School Harassment
- Child Protection Committee investigation
- Sanctions up to expulsion
Philippine National Police – Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) and Women and Children Protection Center
Fast response for online threats; can preserve evidence and file cases immediately.
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Cybercrime Division

IV. Procedural Guide: How to Seek Remedy

Immediate Danger → Call 911 or go to nearest police station
For Women/Children (RA 9262) → Go directly to barangay → file for BPO → file in RTC Family Court for TPO/PPO → file criminal case
General Harassment/Threats →
- File blotter at police station
- File complaint with City/Municipal Prosecutor (inquest if caught in the act)
- For minor offenses (unjust vexation, light threats), mediation at barangay is required first (except when parties live in different barangays or when violence is involved)
Online Harassment → Screenshot everything → report to platform → file with PNP-ACG or NBI → file cybercrime complaint
Sexual Harassment in Workplace/School → File written complaint with employer/school CODI within 3 years

Prescription Periods:

Grave threats/coercions: 15 years
Light threats/unjust vexation: 2 months to 10 years depending on penalty
RA 9262, RA 11313, cybercrimes: 10–20 years

V. Landmark Supreme Court Decisions (Selected)

People v. Bayker (2022) – Repeated sending of offensive messages constitutes unjust vexation
AAA v. Carbonell (2009) – Posting derogatory remarks online is libel even if true if done with ill intent
Disini v. Secretary of Justice (2014) – Upheld most provisions of Cybercrime Law
Divina Law v. Corona (2023) – Online sexual harassment under Safe Spaces Act is punishable even if done anonymously when identity is later established

Victims of harassment and threats in the Philippines are not helpless. The law provides swift, multi-layered protection—from immediate barangay orders to long-term imprisonment and damages. The key is to document everything, report immediately, and avail of the appropriate remedy based on the nature of the harassment. The Philippines has one of the most victim-centered legal frameworks in Asia for these offenses, and the courts have consistently ruled in favor of protecting personal dignity and psychological integrity.