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Representative John Daniel Castro of 1PWD Party-list on Tuesday filed a complaint against the producers and hosts of the podcast "Machong Chismisan" over the remarks made about Joshua Aquino, a son of Kris Aquino.
"Kami po ay talagang nasaktan doon sa mga ganung klaseng remarks dahil para sabihin pong walang kwenta ang isang may kapansanan, suntong po yun sa ginagawa ng aming mission na palakasin ang kapakanan ng PWDs," Castro said during a press conference.
(We were deeply hurt by these remarks because saying that persons with disabilities [PWDs] are useless is against our mission to strengthen the capabilities of PWDs.)
"Isang malaking uri ng discrimination na sana po ay hindi na maulit (this is a major form of discrimination that I hope will never happen again)," he added.
The NBI summoned the podcast hosts as part of an investigation into possible violations of the Magna Carta for Persons with Disability, particularly its provisions prohibiting the public ridicule and vilification of persons with disabilities.
The bureau is also looking into possible cyber libel charges under Republic Act No. 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.
The controversy stems from a viral episode, which has since been deleted, in which the hosts made disparaging remarks about Joshua Aquino, who is in the autism spectrum.
Earlier today, content creator and "Machong Chismisan" host Daniel Lawrence Vivar arrived at the NBI office with his lawyer in response to the agency's subpoena. He is one of the five podcast hosts during the said episode that targeted the younger Aquino.
In a letter to the NBI, the lawyer of fellow host Tito P said his client could not attend the scheduled proceedings because it could aggravate his attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and bipolar disorder.
For Castro, Tito P's health condition does not "justify" his actions.
"Hindi iyan justifiable kahit na sabihin mo may disability rin (It's not justifiable to say that you also have a disability)," Castro said. "As a group we will always protect the rights of every PWD but will not allow them na gamitin ito para makasakit at makasira ng ibang tao (to use it to hurt or ridicule other people)."
NBI Director Melvin Matibag said even without the attendance of other podcast hosts, the NBI will rely on the podcast episode, which was completed on Sept. 30 and posted on Oct. 5.
"Ibig sabihin may screening ito na pinagdadaanan. That's why 'yung mga nasa likod ng podcast na ito will be asked their thoughts nila dito," Matibag said.
(It means it underwent a screening. That's why we will ask the thoughts of those behind the podcast.)
"If found responsible, we will file the proper charges," he added.
Under the Magna Carta for Persons with Disability, public ridicule and vilification of persons with disabilities are punishable by a fine of P5,000 to P100,000, imprisonment of six months to two years, or both. —RF, GMA News