Actor and Quezon City District 5 Councilor Alfred Vargas has issued a strongly worded statement after the Manila Prosecutors’ Office denied the Motion for Reconsideration he and his wife, Yasmine Vargas, filed in connection with the dismissal of their criminal complaint over the alleged bullying of their seven-year-old son.
The Vargas couple has consistently argued that their complaint should be evaluated under Republic Act No. 7610, or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act, rather than Republic Act No. 10627, the Anti-Bullying Act, which they say specifically applies to schools and educational institutions. They maintain that the alleged incident occurred during a swimming competition at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, not in a school setting, and that they submitted eyewitness testimonies and psychiatric findings to support their complaint.
Following the denial of their appeal, Alfred expressed the family’s disappointment while reaffirming their determination to pursue the case.
“It’s a sad day for our family, but we continue to hold our heads high,” he began.
He then spoke about the emotional toll of the latest development.
“Napakasakit para sa amin bilang mga magulang na mabalitaan na na-deny ang aming Motion for Reconsideration. Masakit dahil tila binalewala pa rin ang mga matitibay na ebidensyang inihain namin.”
Vargas disputed the basis of the ruling, insisting that their complaint was supported by more than assumptions.
“Contrary to what the ruling claims, we did not rely on mere speculation. We presented clear, categorical, and positive testimonies from multiple independent eyewitnesses who personally saw how our 7-year-old son was clearly bullied and abused.”
He also cited the psychiatric evaluation they submitted as part of their evidence.
“We even submitted an official Psychiatric Evaluation Report from St. Luke’s Medical Center diagnosing our child with Adjustment Disorder, proving the severe trauma, anxiety, and deep fear he is carrying. Paano nilang nasabi na walang ebidensya?”
Vargas maintained that prosecutors erred in applying the law when they dismissed the complaint.
“We firmly maintain that the Office of the City Prosecutor committed a grave error and an injustice by applying the wrong framework to dismiss our complaint. This is not a simple case of school playground bullying governed by the administrative rules of RA 10627. The incident happened in a public, competitive swimming event. We filed a criminal complaint under Republic Act No. 7610 (Child Abuse Law).”
He further argued that the dismissal relied on what he believes is an incorrect interpretation of the Child Abuse Law.
“Maling-mali na idahilan na dahil ‘single incident’ lang ito at walang napatunayang ‘criminal intent’ ang mga magulang ay idi-dismis na ang kaso. Under RA 7610, child abuse covers psychological and emotional maltreatment ‘whether habitual or not’. The law protects children from conditions prejudicial to their development. By demanding strict proof of the respondents’ subjective intent to degrade our son, the resolution completely turned a blind eye to the parents’ legal duty of supervision and their complacency in tolerating the harmful behavior of their child.”
According to Vargas, the issue now extends beyond their own family.
“This is no longer just about us. This fight is for all the victims of bullying who suffer in silence, and for all the parents who choose to stand up and protect their children’s dignity. Kung ang mga matitibay na ebidensya at medikal na diagnosis na katulad ng sa anak namin ay madaling ibasura sa preliminary investigation pa lang, anong mensahe ang ibinibigay natin sa lipunan?”
He then posed a series of questions reflecting his concerns over how children’s trauma is treated.
“Na okay lang i-trivialize ang trauma ng isang bata?”
“Bakit hirap makahanap ng hustisya para sa mga inaapi at inaabuso? Ang hustisya ba ay para lang sa mga nambubully?”
“Yan ang personal na bigat na nararamdaman naming pamilya ngayon.”
Despite the setback, Vargas said they have no plans to stop pursuing the case.
“We will not back down. We will continue to fight for what is right and exhaust all available legal remedies, including elevating this matter to the Department of Justice. May tiwala pa rin kami sa ating justice system, at lalong-lalo na sa katotohanan ng aming ipinaglalaban.”
He concluded his statement with a firm declaration:
“We will seek justice for our child until the very end.”
He ended the statement with the hashtag #NoToBullying.
As of this writing, the allegations made by the Vargas family remain allegations and have not been finally adjudicated by the courts. Sy and Bacosa have previously denied wrongdoing and publicly shared their side of the controversy in an interview with Ogie Diaz. The matter may proceed to the Department of Justice should the Vargas family pursue the next available legal remedy.
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