Alfred Vargas appeals dismissal of complaint against Rob Sy: “Lalabas ang katotohanan”
- Alfred Vargas and his wife Yasmine Espiritu have formally appealed the dismissal of their complaint involving an alleged bullying incident against their child
- The couple argued that prosecutors relied on the wrong law and failed to fully consider key evidence they submitted
- According to Vargas, the case is about child protection, parental accountability, and seeking justice for children who suffer harm
- The appeal comes after the Manila Prosecutor’s Office previously found insufficient evidence to pursue criminal charges against Rob Sy and Juvelle Bacosa
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Actor and Quezon City councilor Alfred Vargas has broken his silence anew after he and his wife, Yasmine Espiritu, formally sought reconsideration of the Manila Prosecutor’s Office resolution dismissing their criminal complaint against Rob Sy and his partner, Juvelle Bacosa.
Source: Facebook
The complaint stemmed from an alleged incident involving the Vargas couple’s child during a swimming competition held at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex on February 14, 2026.
Earlier, prosecutors dismissed the complaint, ruling that there was insufficient evidence to establish criminal liability and proceed with charges in court.
However, in a new statement released by Vargas and Espiritu, the couple argued that the resolution was based on an incorrect legal framework.
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According to the couple, prosecutors relied on the definition of bullying under Republic Act No. 10627, also known as the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013. They emphasized that their complaint was not filed under that law.
Instead, Vargas and Espiritu said their complaint was based on Section 10(a) of Republic Act No. 7610, or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act, which was enacted to protect children from abuse, cruelty, exploitation, and conditions harmful to their development.
The couple stressed that the alleged incident did not occur within a school setting but during a swimming competition. Because of this, they argued that the resolution improperly treated the matter as a school-based bullying case and, in doing so, narrowed the broader protections available under Republic Act No. 7610.
In their motion for reconsideration, Vargas and Espiritu maintained that substantial evidence was allegedly overlooked. They pointed to eyewitness accounts, reports, and professional psychiatric findings which they said documented the emotional and psychological impact suffered by their seven-year-old child.
According to the couple, the evidence they submitted demonstrated fear, humiliation, emotional distress, anxiety, and psychological harm resulting from the alleged incident.
They further claimed that Sy and Bacosa allegedly failed to take reasonable corrective and preventive measures despite warnings and repeated reminders.
The Vargas spouses also disputed the resolution’s characterization of the incident as a simple disagreement between children.
“These are not trivial matters,” the couple stated in their appeal.
The motion further argued that the complaint was supported by direct testimonies from multiple witnesses and was not based solely on the parents’ own statements.
In addition, the couple said prosecutors failed to give sufficient weight to their child’s own account of the incident and the findings of a psychiatric evaluation.
According to the appeal, the evaluation documented symptoms consistent with adjustment disorder accompanied by mixed anxiety and depressed mood, as well as feelings of humiliation, fear, betrayal, and clinically significant emotional distress requiring professional intervention.
“These manifestations should not be dismissed as mere childish statements or ordinary conflict between minors,” the Vargas couple stated.
“Rather, they demonstrate the seriousness of the harm alleged and underscore the need for responsible parental authority, supervision, and intervention,” they added.
The couple also emphasized that the case is not motivated by publicity or personal conflict.
“This case has never been about publicity, personal conflict, or retaliation,” they said.
“It has always been about parents’ accountability, child protection, and ensuring that the law works for the very individuals it was designed to protect.”
In a separate statement, Vargas reaffirmed his faith in the legal process.
“We will always respect and believe in the legal process. Our faith in the justice system makes us hope that the truth can never be manipulated and covered up. Lalabas at lalabas din ang katotohanan,” he said.
The actor-politician also expressed hope that they would be given the opportunity to continue pursuing justice on behalf of their child.
“Umaasa kami na mabibigyang kaming mag-asawa ng pagkakataon na ipaglaban ang karapatan ng aming anak. He has been a victim of continuous bullying,” Vargas stated.
He added that their fight is also for other children who may have experienced similar situations and deserve to have their voices heard.
Alfred Vargas is a Filipino actor and public official who currently serves as the councilor of Quezon City’s 5th District. Apart from his responsibilities in government, he remains known to many viewers for his acting work, particularly his appearances in the popular fantasy franchise Encantadia. Throughout the years, he has also supported various causes involving cancer patients and individuals with disabilities through advocacy and public service initiatives.
Earlier, Rob Sy issued a statement on Facebook regarding the complaint filed against his family before the Manila City Prosecutor’s Office. Sy said he generally avoids public disputes and controversy but felt it was necessary to speak out because of what he described as ongoing attacks directed at his family and child. He denied the allegations against them and argued that the public narrative surrounding the issue had been unfairly reversed. Sy likewise stated that he and his wife, Jovelle Sy, were ready to defend themselves while asking for prayers, fairness, and understanding from the public.
Previously, Sy released another statement addressing the bullying controversy involving his family. In that earlier message, he rejected portrayals of himself as the antagonist in viral social media discussions. He also maintained that there were significant facts and circumstances connected to the case that had not been fully presented or understood by the public.
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