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Actor and Quezon City Councilor Alfred Vargas is taking a firm stand against the culture of bullying in Philippine schools, throwing his full weight behind former Senator Bam Aquino's "Zero Bullying" initiative.

In a recent meeting between the two long-time allies, Alfred Vargas emphasized that the fight against campus harassment requires a shift in responsibility, moving beyond the classroom and back into the Filipino home.

The Unica Hija and AraBella actor, who has been vocal about youth welfare in the City Council, echoed Aquino's sentiment that teachers cannot carry the burden of discipline alone.

During a privilege speech, the father of four delivered a stern reminder to guardians regarding their role in character formation.

“Ang pananahimik sa gitna ng pang-aabuso ay pakikipagsabwatan sa nang-aapi,” Vargas stated. “Kapag ikaw, yung anak mo hinahayaan mo mambully, ikaw talaga ang totoong bully.”

Alfred Vargas also stressed that the "Zero Bullying" policy aims to institutionalize mental health protection for students. He urged parents to always look for signs or indications, and maintain open lines of communication with their children to quickly identify if they are victims—or more importantly—if they are the ones instigating the bullying.

He said, "Role ng mga Magulang: Kailangang maging active partners ang mga magulang. Hindi pwedeng 'sa school lang 'yan.' Dapat may open communication sa anak para ma-detect agad kung sila ba ay biktima o, mas mahalaga, kung sila ba ang nagiging bully."

The Scholarship Scam Warning

While Alfred Vargas is pushing for safer school environments, he is also fighting a different kind of "bully" in the digital space: online scammers.

The Alagang Vargas Scholarship Program, a cornerstone of his public service for 16 years, has recently been targeted by individuals using the program's name to deceive the public. With a track record of over 30,000 graduates and thousands of Novaleño families assisted, the program has become a prime target for identity theft and misinformation.

To protect applicants, Vargas issued a formal advisory to clarify the scholarship process:

• Official Communication: Applicants will only receive official notifications via direct text or calls from his office regarding the release of funds.
• Batch Processing: Support is released in batches throughout the year; students are asked for patience as the office manages the high volume of beneficiaries.
• One Official Source: Residents are urged to communicate only through his verified Facebook account to avoid falling victim to "online accounts with malicious intent."

The dual effort to curb school bullying and eliminate scholarship fraud highlights Alfred Vargas' current focus on holistic student welfare. By partnering with leaders like Bam Aquino and tightening the security of his local programs, Alfred aims to ensure that the youth of Quezon City's 5th District can pursue their education without fear of harassment or exploitation.

“Let's work together to protect our children's mental health,” Alfred Vargas concluded, reinforcing his commitment to making Novaliches a benchmark for safe and supportive education.