AMID CONTINUING claims from the camp of actor-politician Alfred Vargas and his wife Yasmine that their son was bullied despite the dismissal of the complaint before the prosecutor’s office, Rob Sy broke his self-imposed silence to say that it was his son who was the real victim.
Sy and his wife Jovelle were the respondents in the criminal complaints filed by the Vargases on behalf of their son. In the complaint, the Quezon City councilor and his wife claimed that on numerous instances, the Sy’s son tried to drown their son during swimming lessons at a resort in Manila.
After its own preliminary investigation, the Office of the City Prosecutor of Manila ruled to dismiss the complaint for lack of evidence. Vargas then said they will appeal the case.
Meanwhile, Sy said that despite the prosecutor’s ruling, they continued to receive messages and comments accusing their son of bullying, prompting him to clear their names anew for the record.
On Facebook on Sunday, May 31, Sy said that he meant to remain silent throughout the judicial process, but is forced to speak up after receiving “several wrongful accusations.”
“Nais naming ipaalala sa publiko ang isang simpleng katotohanan, na ang akusasyon ay hindi kailanman magiging kapalit ng tunay na mga ebidensya kahit na paulit-ulit pa na sinasabi sa media,” he said, while tagging his wife and their legal counsel.
“Mariin din naming itinatanggi ang alegasyon na kumakalat o pinanapakalat ng umano’y ‘paulit-ulit na bullying.’ Nais po naming linawin na ang aming anak ay HINDI bully,” he continued.
Who is the real bullying victim?
The Kapuso actor also pointed out that, based on the findings of the Manila prosecutors, the dismissal was due to lack of evidence, with evidence presented being based on mere speculations.
“Kung tunay na may naganap na ‘bullying’ o anumang uri ng pang-aabuso, sana ay nakakita man lamang ng sapat na batayan ang kagalang-galang na Tanggapan ng Piskal upang isulong ang kaso. Ngunit sa kanilang opisyal na Resolution, malinaw na nakasaad na ang mga paratang ay ‘merely based on speculation’ o nakabatay lamang sa mga hinala at haka-haka. Sa ilalim ng batas, ang hinala ay hindi ebidensya,” he added.
Sy then reiterated that, based on the evidence laid out by the Office of the City Prosecutor of Manila’s 10-page resolution, it is his child who was the victim. He nonetheless believes that he and his family will receive justice someday.
The actor also said that while he respects that Vargas and his wife, Yasmine, won’t agree to the dismissal of their case, he stressed that he won’t allow his family to endure the consequences of being victims of false narratives on social media. (Hannah Mallorca © Philippine Daily Inquirer)
