Statement of Lawyer Atty. Regie Tongol on Makati City Prosecutor's Office Charging Actor Tony Labrusca with Acts of Lasciviousness

Image courtesy of Instagram: tony.labrusca

My client together with all the victims of abuses by public figures, such as Mr. Tony Labrusca, are happy that the City Prosecutor of Makati City led by Chief Dindo Venturanza had found probable cause to file criminal charges against  Mr. Labrusca for Acts of Lasciviousness. The resolution released on October 21, 2021 by Assistant Prosecutor Marc Jeremiah Garcia as approved by Deputy City Prosecutor Henry Salazar is a vindication of my client’s version of the incident that happened on that night. My client’s claim contradicts the lies concocted by Mr. Labrusca and his counsels by trying to blame the victim for what happened to her rather than own up to what he had criminally done. This victim-blaming scheme conveniently used by these abusers should neither be tolerated nor it be, in the slightest chance, permitted to be conventionalized by these powerful and abusive men who prey on women, such as our client.

The filing of the charge in court is the first stage in our client’s quest for justice. Like other victims of abuse, she would still need to endure and persevere in this quest by recalling all the traumatic acts done to her for a few more years until the trial is concluded. Nevertheless, she is hopeful that the news of Mr. Labrusca eventually getting what he deserves would encourage other women and anyone victimized by Mr. Labrusca and other public figures whether sexual or otherwise, not to be afraid to stand up and be heard. The government through offices, such as the Office of the City Prosecutor of Makati City with its courageous army of prosecutors, are competent instruments of justice and allies of the #metoo movement.