MANILA — Actor-politician Alfred Vargas and his wife Yasmine have asked the Manila Prosecutors’ Office to reconsider its earlier resolution dismissing their criminal complaint against Rob Sy and his partner Juvelle Bacosa, arguing that the ruling relied on the wrong law and overlooked key evidence.

In a report, it said that their motion for reconsideration, the Vargas couple said the resolution improperly applied Republic Act No. 10627 or the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013, which they said is limited to bullying incidents occurring in school settings.

The complainants stressed that their case is anchored on Section 10(a) of Republic Act No. 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act, which provides broader protections for children against abuse and conditions prejudicial to their development.

They said the alleged incident involving their seven-year-old child took place during a swimming competition at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex on February 14, 2026, and not within a school environment.

“We respectfully believe that the resolution erred in adopting restrictive interpretation of the law and failed to fully appreciate the totality of the evidence on record,” they said.

The Vargas couple also argued that the resolution narrowed the scope of child protection laws by treating the matter as a minor school-based bullying incident.

They claimed that the dismissal failed to consider key pieces of evidence, including eyewitness testimonies and psychiatric findings allegedly documenting the emotional and psychological impact on their child.

The couple said the evidence showed the child experienced fear, humiliation, emotional distress, and psychological harm.

It also alleged that the respondents failed to take corrective action despite warnings and reminders.

“Contrary to the findings of the resolution, the Vargas couple said their child “was subjected to acts of aggression, ridicule, humiliation, intimidation and emotional maltreatment.”

“These acts resulted in clinically documented psychological distress,” they said.

They further disputed the resolution’s characterization of the incident as a “childish disagreement” or minor altercation, saying the acts involved were serious and fall under protections provided by law.

“These are not trivial matters,” they said.

“These are precisely the kinds of acts and conditions that Republic Act No. 7610 seeks to prevent, particularly when they affect the dignity, emotional security, psychological well-being and development of a child.”

The motion also cited eyewitness accounts and the child’s own narration of events, which it said were not given proper weight.

It further referenced a psychiatric evaluation allegedly showing symptoms consistent with adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, as well as fear reactions, humiliation, anxiety, and clinically significant distress requiring professional intervention.

“These manifestations should not be dismissed as mere childish statements or ordinary conflict between minors,” they said.

“Rather, they demonstrate the seriousness of the harm alleged and underscore the need for responsible parental authority, supervision, and intervention,” they added.

The Vargas couple said the complaint is not about publicity or retaliation but about accountability and child protection.

“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,” they added.

In a separate statement, Alfred Vargas expressed hope that the truth would emerge through 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.

“Umaasa kami na mabibigyang kaming mag-asawa ng pagkakataon na ipaglaban ang karapatan ng aming anak. He has been a victim of continuous bullying,” he added.

He also said the case aims to support other children who have experienced similar abuse.

“Ito ay para rin sa lahat ng mga batang biniktima, sinaktan at inabuso ng mga bully. Sana ay mabigyan sila ng tinig at ng pagkakataon na ibangon ang kanilang pagkatao at ipaglaban ang kanilang mga karaparatan sa ating hukuman.”