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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PM Vargas hails legal victory, hits smear campaign

PM Vargas hails legal victory, hits smear campaign

Published Jun 29, 2026 08:54 am

At A Glance

  • Rep. PM Vargas welcomes a QC court's dismissal of a P1-billion civil case against him.
  • Vargas said the accusations were fabricated and politically motivated to defame him.
  • He vowed legal action against those spreading false information and warned of groups exploiting the religious sector.
Quezon City 5th district Rep. Patrick Michael "PM" Vargas (Ellson Quismorio/MANILA BULLETIN)
Quezon City 5th district Rep. Patrick Michael "PM" Vargas (Ellson Quismorio/MANILA BULLETIN)


Quezon City 5th district Rep. Patrick Michael "PM" Vargas has gained a legal victory in what he has described as a "coordinated smear campaign" against him.
This, after Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 81 Presiding Judge Madonna Echiverri dismissed a P1-billion civil case that according to Vargas was lodged against him for "purely political motives".
“We welcome this decision of the court. Sa simula pa lang, tiwala na ang inyong lingkod na hindi uusad ang kasong ito dahil gawa-gawa lamang ang mga akusasyon. Ginagamit lang nila ang korte upang siraan ang aking pangalan,” Vargas said.
(From the very beginning, I was confident that this case would not progress because the accusations were fabricated. They are merely using the court to tarnish my name.)
The case, filed in December 2025 by former Quezon City councilor-lawyer Antonio Enrile Inton Jr. on behalf of the United People’s Against Corruption (UPAC), was dismissed due to the plaintiff’s failure to pay court filing fees.
Vargas also noted that the court decision affirms Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte’s earlier declaration that the 5th district had no ghost projects.
“As I said before, this was a nuisance complaint filed by a disgraced city official. Malinaw na ang layunin lang nito ay siraan ako gamit ang gawa-gawang mga paratang,” Vargas said.
(It's clear that the sole purpose of these made-up allegations was to defame me.)
“We have always been transparent. Sadyang may mga grupo lamang na gustong baliktarin ang naratibo,” Vargas added.
(There are simply groups that want to reverse the narrative.)
Vargas questioned the political motive of the complainants who engage in damaging reputations by filing complaints to gain public attention.
He called the case a grave misuse of the legal system’s time and resources. He said the court's time and effort could have been better used on dispensing justice to those who really needed it.
Vargas has also decried being apparently singled out by the complainants, who seem to be using the case only as a means to create a perception of wrongdoing through association.
He likewise raised concern about unscrupulous individuals connected to the case using a certain religious group to advance a smear campaign against him.
“Nag-aalala po ako para sa mga kasama natin mula sa religious sector na baka ginagamit na po sila para sa politika at inililihis sa katotohanan. I hope that they will remain discerning,” Vargas said.
(I am concerned for our companions from the religious sector who may be used for politics and diverted from the truth.)
“Tahimik at malinis po tayo sa ating distrito. Pero napansin po natin na simula nang may ibang naghangad maluklok sa puwesto, na diumano’y konektado sa mga sindikato, naging marumi na po ang labanan dito,” added the second-term solon.
(Our district has been quiet and clean. But we noticed that since others aspired to take office, allegedly connected to syndicates, the contest here has become dirty.)
Vargas is currently conferring with his legal team to determine their next steps in light of the dismissal. He also vowed to take legal action against those who continue to spread false information.

Related Tags

PM Vargas Quezon City ghost project Joy Belmonte
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