QuestionsQuestions (Republic Act No. 4661)
RA 4661 amends Article 90 of the Revised Penal Code by shortening the prescriptive periods for libel and other similar offenses.
They prescribe in twenty (20) years.
They prescribe in fifteen (15) years.
Correctional penalties prescribe in ten (10) years; however, those punishable by arresto mayor prescribe in five (5) years.
Libel or other similar offenses prescribe in one (1) year.
They prescribe in six (6) months.
Light offenses prescribe in two (2) months.
When the penalty fixed by law is a compound one, the highest penalty is made the basis for applying the rules in the first, second, and third paragraphs of Article 90.
No. Section 2 provides that the amendatory provision does not apply to cases of libel already filed in court at the time of approval.
It took effect upon its approval.
The accused may invoke that the crime of libel (or similar offenses) has prescribed in one (1) year under Article 90 as amended.
Libel or other similar offenses prescribe in one (1) year, while oral defamation and slander by deed prescribe in six (6) months.
It shortens the prescriptive period for libel (and similar offenses) to one year, making prosecution time-barred sooner than under the general prescriptive rules for other felonies.
It preserves the existing prosecution status for libel cases already filed in court; the shortened prescriptive period will not be applied to them.
It is based primarily on the penalty category fixed by law, except for specific rules stated in Article 90 such as the fixed prescriptive periods for libel, oral defamation, slander by deed, and light offenses.