SENATORS SLAM CONTENT CREATORS OVER MOCKERY OF PERSONS WIITH AUTISM

SENATORS Joel Villanueva and Risa Hontiveros blasted the hosts of a podcast for mocking  the son of celebrity Kris Aquino, saying disability should never be a topic for entertainment.

“Nakakagalit at nakakabastos! There is no room for this kind of behavior in our society and in the digital space,” said Villanueva referring to the hosts of “Machong Chismisan” podcast.

One of the hosts remarked: “Si Bimby, sobrang okay na anak. Si Josh, walang kuwenta, e,” referring to Aquino’s two sons.

“Bilang isang magulang, napakasakit pong marinig ang pang-aalipusta sa isang anak na may kapansanan. Kahit saang anggulo po natin tingnan ang pangyayari, hindi po katatawanan ang anumang uri ng kapansanan, gaya ng autism. Hindi na dapat bigyan ng plataporma ang mga kumukutya sa mga taong may kapansanan. Who in their right mind would make a mockery of a person on the spectrum? Anong klaseng aliw ang nakukuha sa pagpapahiya sa isang taong hindi kayang ipaglaban ang kanyang sarili? Let me remind the hosts: hindi niyo ikina-macho ang mga pinagsasabi ninyo,” Villanueva added.

Villanueva said the issue is not just about Josh, who is loved by his family and the people close to him. He said the matter is also about how some people still treat disability as a punchline. 

“Sa mga creator at podcaster: may impluwensya kayo, kaya may pananagutan kayo. Kapag tinawanan ninyo ang kapansanan ng isang tao, libu-libong tagapakinig ang natututong gawin din iyon. Sa mga production company at network: hindi po sapat ang pagbura ng episode pagkatapos ng kaguluhan. Dapat malinaw ang mga pamantayan ninyo bago pa ito i-ere,” Villaneva said.

The senator urged  platforms to take action against content that demeans persons with disabilities.

According to Hontiveros , it is never acceptable to mock, belittle, or demean persons with disability., adding they are not a punchline, and their lives should not be fodder for ridicule, whether on air, online, or in private conversation.

“Malinaw ang paninindigan ng ating mga batas na may dignidad ang bawat kababayan nating may kapansanan. Tulad ng National Autism Care, Support, and Inclusion Act na isinusulong ko, marami nang mga batas at panukala na ipinagbabawal ang anumang klaseng diskriminasyon,” she said.

“To everyone, especially those with platforms: tandaan na ang tunay na sukatan ng ating pagkatao ay kung paano natin itinuturing ang mga pinakabulnerable sa ating lipunan. Sila ang dapat nating iniingatan, hindi pinagtatawanan,” Hontiveros added..

DSWD WARNS OF LEGAL CONSEQUENCES

The  Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) warned content creators against disparaging persons with disabilities (PWDs).

According to the DSWD  such acts violate Republic Act No. 7277 or the Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities, which seeks to protect PWDs’ well-being and dignity, and ensure their integration into mainstream society.

“Every individual with a disability, including those on the autism spectrum or with neurodevelopmental conditions, deserves dignity, respect, privacy, and the utmost care,” said DSWD spokesperson and Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao.

“Exploiting a person’s disability for amusement, ridicule, or online engagement is unacceptable, as it reinforces harmful stereotypes and drives discrimination against a vulnerable group,” she added.

The podcast later issued a statement offering its  apologies to Kris, Josh and the “entire Aquino family.

Meanwhile, the Pod Network Entertainment announced that it had terminated the show’s contract and removed it from streaming platforms such as Spotify and Apple.