Quezon City, Philippines — A Quezon City court has dismissed the P1-billion civil case filed against Quezon City 5th District Rep. Patrick Michael “PM” Vargas over alleged anomalous flood control projects.
In a two-page order, Quezon City RTC Branch 81 Presiding Judge Madonna Echiverri said the case could not proceed for lack of jurisdiction.
The complaint was filed by former Quezon City Councilor Antonio Enrile Inton Jr. on behalf of the United People’s Against Corruption (UPAC).
Vargas welcomed the ruling, affirming his long-standing position that the allegations against him had no basis.
“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.
He reiterated that the complaint was politically motivated and intended to damage his reputation.
“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,” he added.
The lawmaker also said the court’s ruling supports Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte’s earlier statement that there were no ghost flood control projects in the city’s fifth district.
Vargas disclosed that his legal team is now evaluating possible legal action against individuals he accused of spreading false information, while reaffirming that his service in his district continues.
He likewise criticized what he described as the misuse of the judicial system for political purposes.
“These instances are a grave misuse of our legal system’s time and resources. Ang panahon ng hukuman ay dapat na ilaan sa pagbibigay ng katarungan sa mga tunay na nangangailangan nito,” Vargas emphasized.