A warrant of arrest has been issued against Cebu-based media personality and LGBTQIA+ advocate Jude Bacalso by the Municipal Trial Court in Cities (MTCC) Branch 6. The warrant stems from charges of grave slander by deed following a highly publicized incident involving a misgendering controversy last July 2024.
The controversy began when Bacalso reprimanded a 24-year-old waiter, Mark (not his real name), for addressing her as “sir” at a local restaurant. Reports indicate that Bacalso made the waiter stand for nearly two hours, leading to psychological distress for the victim. The incident, which was widely discussed on social media, sparked debates about gender sensitivity and the treatment of service workers.
Mark formally filed charges against Bacalso on August 28, accusing her of unjust vexation and slight illegal detention, in addition to grave slander by deed. The court has set Bacalso’s arraignment and pre-trial for January 23, 2025.
Bacalso has since apologized publicly, acknowledging that her actions were excessive and expressing regret over how the situation unfolded. She reiterated her advocacy for gender inclusivity but admitted that the incident could have been handled with more empathy and understanding.
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