Alfred Vargas, wife file 20 counts of cyberlibel complaint vs Rob Sy

Alfred Vargas and his wife, Yasmine, are not backing down in their battle against actor Rob Sy, as the couple filed 20 counts of cyberlibel complaint against the latter amid ongoing allegations of bullying from both sides.

In a statement through Alfred’s Facebook page on Monday, April 20, Yasmine said she and the actor-politician said silence is no longer an option when it comes to standing up for their son, thus, their libel complaint.

“Today, I filed 20 counts of cyber libel. Nalulungkot po ako na umabot pa sa ganito. Sinubukan naming idaan sa maayos na pag-uusap noong Pebrero, ngunit sa halip, nagpatuloy ang mga posts sa social media na naglalaman ng maling paratang laban sa akin, sa aking asawa, at sa aming pamilya — even after we chose to remain silent,” she said.

(Today, I filed 20 counts of cyber libel. I’m sad that things have escalated to this point. We tried to address the situation through a positive discussion last February; however, there are posts on social media that are full of baseless accusations against me, my wife, and my family — even after we chose to remain silent.)

Yasmine stated that she has always been “shy, reserved,” and not the type of person to engage in conflicts. She also stressed that she did her best to handle the issue “quietly” out of respect for both parties and to protect their respective children.

“But there comes a point when silence is no longer an option. Bilang isang ina, hindi ko po kayang manahimik habang patuloy na nasasaktan ang aking anak at pamilya,” she continued.

(But there comes a point when silence is no longer an option. As a mom, I can’t keep silent, especially when my children and family are getting hurt.)

Without mentioning Sy’s name, Yasmine said the claims he made against their family are meant to tarnish their reputation. 

“Hindi na po ito maaaring magpatuloy. These claims are false and are meant to damage our name and reputation. Pinili naming dumaan sa tamang proseso. Nagsampa na po kami ng reklamo at kalakip nito ang aming ebidensya. Tiwala po kami na lalabas ang katotohanan,” she said.

(This cannot continue. These claims are false and are meant to damage our name and reputation. We chose to handle this through the right process. We have already filed a complaint and have evidence. We are hopeful that truth will prevail.)

The Facebook post did not cite the particular libelous remarks she Vargases complained of; however, Sy previously denied through a Facebook statement dated April 14 that his child bullied the actor-politician’s minor child. At the same time, the actor’s wife, Jovelle Bacosa, claimed in February that she and her child felt “harassed” by a certain public servant.

“Last February 14, 2026 sa mismong araw ng Swimming Competition ng Anak ko sa Rizal Memorial Stadium, na-harass kaming mag-ina ng isang indibidwal. Kahit babae ako at 8 years old lang ang anak ko, pinagdududuro nya at pinapahiya sa harap ng maraming tao. Nanginginig at umiiyak ang anak ko sa takot,” she said.

“Kahit gaano kasakit at traumatic, kinausap at pinakalma ako ni Rob pagkadating nya, kaya nanatili kaming tikom at pinagpasa-Diyos na lang namin ang nangyari,” she continued.

(Last February 14, 2026, on the day of my child’s swimming competition at Rizal Memorial Stadium, my child and I were harassed by an individual. Even though I am a woman and my child is only 8 years old, we were pointed at and humiliated in front of many people. My child was trembling and crying in fear. Despite how painful and traumatic it was, Rob spoke to me and calmed me down when he arrived, so we chose to remain silent and leave what happened in God’s hands.)

To conclude her statement, Yasmine urged the public to “choose kindness” and thanked their supporters.

“Huwag na po nating dagdagan ang sakit sa pamamagitan ng paninira, haka-haka, o masasakit na salita — lalo na online. Bullying, in any form, has no place in our community,” she said.

(Let us not add more to the pain by inflicting rumor-mongering, making false stories, or hurling painful remarks — especially online. Bullying, in any form, has no place in our community.)

The Sys have yet to issue a comment on this latest complaint.

The case is in addition to the complaint filed by Alfred and Yasmine before the Office of the City Prosecutor of Manila earlier this month, citing a violation of Section 10(a) of Republic Act No. 7610, or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.

The pair alleged that their minor son was “repeatedly pushed and held underwater during swimming training sessions” by a minor, prompting Sy to reveal that he was the respondent a few days later. /edv