Actor and Quezon City Councilor Alfred Vargas expressed disappointment and heartbreak following the dismissal of the child abuse complaint he and his wife, Yasmine Vargas, filed against businessman Rob Sy and Juvelle Bacosa.
The Office of the City Prosecutor of Manila dismissed the complaint for lack of evidence. The case stemmed from allegations that Sy’s son repeatedly bullied the Vargas couple’s young child.
In a Facebook post on May 30, Vargas admitted that the decision left him devastated.
“Aaminin ko na nanlumo ako pagkabasa ko ng desisyon. Parang gumuho ang mundo ko. Naawa ako sa aking mga anak. Nahiya ako sa kanila. I felt like I failed them as a parent.”
The actor-politician said he worried about the safety of children who become victims of bullying and questioned where families could turn for help.
“Wala na ba kaming matatakbuhan? Wala na bang tutulong sa anak kong biniktima ng paulit-ulit na bullying?”
Vargas emphasized that his seven-year-old child allegedly suffered repeated harm and emotional trauma.
“Seven years old lang ang anak ko. Sinaktan siya ng paulit-ulit, binigyan ng trauma, namiligro ang buhay niya, ipinahiya sa harap ng maraming tao. Sinira ang kaniyang dignidad.”
He also questioned the characterization of the incident as merely a dispute between children.
“Tapos sasabihin na ‘away bata’ lang at wala na kaming magagawa? Paano na yung anak ko na biniktima? Wala ba siyang karapatang mabuhay na ligtas at walang takot?”
Despite his disappointment, Vargas said the support and prayers they received from the public strengthened his family’s resolve to continue seeking justice.
“But in our moment of doubt, all of you gave us clarity and purpose. You gave us strength. Nalaman namin na hindi kami nag-iisa.”
“Yasmine, my children, and I are overwhelmed with gratitude.”
He also thanked supporters who have stood by their family throughout the legal battle.
“You have inspired us to continue working for the truth and for a safer community for our children. We say no to bullying with greater determination. Itutuloy namin ang aming pagtutol at paglaban sa bullying.”
“Maraming, maraming salamat sa inyong pagmamahal at panalangin.”
Earlier, Vargas confirmed that while they respect the decision of the prosecutors and the legal process, they intend to pursue all available legal remedies.
“We have been informed about the decision of the prosecutor. Due process allows us to seek legal remedies. We will exert all available legal avenues to pursue justice for our child.”
He added: “Hindi pa po dito nagtatapos ang laban.”
For his part, Sy has denied the bullying allegations and accused the Vargas couple of twisting the narrative. Aside from the dismissed child abuse complaint, Sy is also facing a separate cyberlibel complaint filed by Vargas and his wife.
