A warrant of arrest has been issued against Cebu personality Jude Bacalso by the Municipal Trial Court in Cities (MTCC) Branch 6 about a case of grave slander by deed. The charges stem from an incident in July 2024 where Bacalso allegedly made a 24-year-old waiter, referred to as “Mark” (not his real name), stand for nearly two hours as punishment for mistakenly addressing him as “sir.” The incident caused significant psychological distress to Mark, prompting him to file several complaints against Bacalso on August 28, 2024.
The arraignment and pre-trial for the case are scheduled for January 23, 2025. This marks the next step in the legal proceedings surrounding the controversial event.
According to a post by netizen John Calderon, the waiter was allegedly forced to stand for approximately 1 hour and 49 minutes while Bacalso reprimanded him for the mistake. Calderon further reported that the waiter was seen in tears, and several witnesses were present during the incident. This situation sparked widespread attention on social media and led to public outcry.
In response, Bacalso took to social media to issue a public apology on July 22, acknowledging that he may have been lacking in kindness toward Mark and his advocacy for inclusivity. Bacalso expressed regret for the way the incident unfolded and stated that he had unintentionally failed to live up to the standards of compassion and understanding that he strives for. Despite the apology, the legal proceedings against him continue.
The case has garnered attention not only because of Bacalso’s public persona but also due to the psychological impact the incident had on Mark, who has made it clear that he seeks justice for the distress he endured. Bacalso’s supporters and critics alike continue to follow the case as it progresses to trial, with many questioning the propriety of his actions and the broader implications of the incident on how individuals in positions of influence interact with service workers.