VARGAS Appeals Dismissal of Bullying Case, Urges Thorough Review

Alfred Vargas and wife Yasmine has urged the Manila Prosecutors Office to review the recent resolution which has thrown out their complaint against Rob Sy and Juvelle Bacosa. (Just an update from the case of actor and public servant Alfred Vargas who filed in behalf of their son).

As per their statement, they pointed out the erroneous basis for the resolution and non acceptance of important evidence that they have presented for the case. They pointed out RA 10627 or commonly called Anti Bullying Act of 2913 that addresses matters inside educational institutions, instead of Section 10a of RA 7610 which is for the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse Exploitation and Discrimination Act which is apt for that. The incident they also reported has happened inside Rizal Memorial Sports Complex last February 14th and not inside school premises as they claimed. They also believe that this was erroneous in adapting that and their evidence too. 

Vargas also feels the resolution lessens the protection given to their child as they're treating this as a school incident instead of it being a bullying matter. They would want the matter to be looked at with RA 7610 in mind since it gives a broader protection for their child. Aside from the non inclusion of evidence, they didn't also touch on witness testimonies or psychiatric findings since their child has struggled, as the incident brought fear, distraught and psychological damage. They also deem Sy and Bacosa failed to correct and stop the incident after giving notice in earlier incidents. They also told the court how their child received aggression, emotional stress and clinically documented psychological distress. 

In their petition, they reiterated that it is not based on just their story, but of material, direct, eyewitness accounts which supports the case. They also said the resolution didn't consider the child's statement, the one who experienced it all. They feel this isn't just an ordinary conflict between minors and shouldn't be downplayed. 

Philippine Supreme Court Systematize Videoconferencing Hearings

The Supreme Court of the Philippines finally made headway with institutionalizing Videoconferencing Hearings in the country. As of recent, over 170,000 virtual hearings have been conducted nationwide and assured continuation of justice proceedings even under the pandemic. This has resulted in the successful processing 81,000 persons all done through Microsoft technology.

The courts utilize Microsoft 365 which is comprised of a plethora of web application, intelligent cloud service, and security-transparent tools for proceedings. The body approved the court guidelines on the conduct of Videoconferencing, which now allows remote appearances in court, even for those outside the country. Now it is possible for individuals to provide remote testimony even if you are in different parts of the country. Microsoft 365 made these all cost efficient, training necessary for their people were also provided.

While all courts are authorized to conduct these, videoconferencing has been done in over 2,715 courts. In it, almost 170,000 video conferencing hearings in both civil and criminal cases have already been conducted by judges. This comprise 80% success rate in the process.

Future looks bright huh?

The Firm: Premiers on AXN ASIA!

Classy, intriguing, dirty, fast paced and frivolous. That's how I describe this great new show on AXN called THE FIRM. Imagine an idealistic person joining a law firm in the hopes of getting startling cases and good directions but only ending up seeing how dirty politics is both inside and out the office plus the involvement of the real deal Chicago mobsters. That's THE FIRM's selling point and with it's 2hour episode premier last Sunday it has taken quite a buzz from courtroom drama/suspense aficionados here and outside the Philippines.

This is a continuation of the movie with the same name but it'll be set ten years after. I read this particular novel by John Grisham and you should too because there are other things in the book that probably won't be shown in the TV series. They just came out after a stint in the Wintness Protection Program and thought that they would be able to live normally again only to see that the same old enemies are there plus a lot of complications too in the story.

THE FIRM Photo from L-R Molly Parker as Abby McDeere, Natasha Calis as Claire McDeere, Josh Lucas as Mitch McDeere, Juliette Lewis as Tammy Hemphill, Callum Keith Rennie as Ray McDeere -- All Photo credits to: Frank Ockenfels 3/NBC/Sony Pictures Television

Make sure you catch the repeat telecast of The Firm's Pilot Episode to be shown on Feb 23 at 10:55 PM and on Feb 26 at 10:20 AM exclusively on AXN Asia - Asia's number one channel! For new episodes, check it out on Sundays at 9:55 PM.

Capisce?!

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The Firm

AXN Asia

Know Your Rights!

I am really not new to forums. I have actually administered 4 forums in my lifetime and they go about subjects for school, sports, general information and technology. I have actually toned down in the recent years. I got as high as 6 communities which on some instances already battled with my time with work. I had to prioritize that but I never got them removed from my system because I like the feeling of belonging to a community. I specifically like the consumer forum since I get to communicate with the users directly. It is the ability to help people who purchase their everyday stuff that gets me to visit their forum. One example of this is the Consumer Court Forum (India). Even if I am a starting member in this community I know how it already works. Have you ever bought stuff from businesses that you later find out to be defective?! How about properties that promise SHANGRILA but you end up in the middle of nowhere?! Those are the things we should avoid when buying products or services and I would not be surprised if one day we become victims of unscrupulous individuals.

What is this forum all about?! Why protect the consumers?! It is all about users helping other users on their dilemma. Protecting the consumers from large corporations and entities is one way of helping each other. If you are alone and battle it out with companies that are funded with millions of dollars you would never win any court case. If you voice out your opinions on these free boards from the Consumer Court Forum and if there are people around the world who have the same problem with the product and service that you got, then you are going to be able to communicate together your concern. It is a fact that there is unspoken power in numbers. This is new media and there are thousands of people who view these pages every day. I know how the metrics run in communities like them and it is very powerful to get your point across. Enjoining other users to report problems so the companies could act on it is one way of also helping yourself. Make sure you join this forum and protect your rights and your family.

Baron Geisler Enters NOT GUILTY Plea

Baron was just a kid when I last met him. That was a party years ago of a common friend. It was his Ang TV days I think so he was kinda "the fat kid" then. I was doing the debut of a good high school friend and she was with Baron's brother if I'm not mistaken.

Anyway, that was a long time ago and a long shot from what he's doing right now. A lot of things happened like PBB and the cigarette and alcohol addiction... a few rumors of drug use... and his house burning to the ground. Today, its his word versus the daughter of William Martinez and Yayo Aguila. He's charged formally now with Acts of Lasciviousness and is punishable of getting jailed for a few years I think. This was because apparently there was an incident where he touched the young ladies' bumpers. I hate to say the B word hehe.

Well according to news reports he just entered a NOT GUILTY plea before the Makati City Metropolitan Trial Court. Now I don't know who's telling the truth but as long as the girl in the story was offended and felt abused then I guess its her right to defend herself right? I hope if he's guilty then he be put to jail but if he's not then I hope they all move on with their lives.