Bersamin couple drops unjust vexation case vs fishball vendor

MANILA, Philippines — Dr. Lucas B. Bersamin Jr. and wife Bianca have decided to withdraw the case of unjust vexation and threat that they had filed against a fishball vendor, the doctor’s father, Supreme Court Chief Justice Lucas P. Bersamin said Monday.

“Although the couple said that this is a serious matter that should not be taken lightly, moving on from the issue and desisting from prosecuting the case was deemed best for both parties,” the Chief Justice said.

“The couple, however, are pushing for proper legislation to protect women’s rights against catcalling and other forms of sexual harassment,” Chief Justice Bersamin said.

Conrado Bingco, a 38-year-old fishball vendor, was arrested last Saturday, March 9, for unjust vexation and threat after getting into an argument with Dr. Bersamin.

Bianca was reportedly walking along Malugay Street in Barangay Bel-Air in Makati when Bingco called her and offered her fishballs.

She declined, but Bingco followed and catcalled her.

She called her husband who came to her aid and confronted the vendor. The two had an argument.

But when Bingco attempted to pull something from behind his waist, Dr. Bersamin sought the help of nearby police officers.

Chief Insp. Gideon Ines, Makati assistant chief of police for operations, said Bingco wanted to scare Dr. Bersamin by pretending to pull something from behind him.

“He was pretending he had a weapon, but we found nothing,” Ines said.

Unjust vexation is “a form of light coercion which involves the application of threats or violence which, however, is not followed through to consummation; an act that is meant to annoy, vex, irritate, or torment the offended party.” /atm