Benitez hits “cruelty” vs Josh Aquino: Respect the autistic people

BACOLOD CITY — House Deputy House Speaker and Bacolod City Rep. Alfredo Benitez on Thursday strongly condemned the discriminatory and insulting remarks directed at Josh Aquino in a viral podcast.

He warned that freedom of expression is not a license to demean persons with special needs.

In a statement posted on his official Facebook page, Benitez emphasized that derogatory jokes directed at individuals on the autism spectrum perpetuate ableism and undermine human dignity.

Ableism refers to discrimination, social prejudice, or systemic bias against people with physical, intellectual and psychiatric disabilities.

“As the author of House Bill No. 3379, the National Autism Care, Support and Inclusion Act, I firmly believe that persons with autism deserve understanding, equal opportunities and genuine acceptance, not cruelty and ridicule,” Benitez lamented.

The lawmaker’s response follows widespread public outrage over a now-deleted episode of the comedy podcast “Maching Chismisan” titled “Ang Pagbabalik ni Kris Aquino.”

In the episode published on October 5, host Tito P compared Josh Aquino to his younger brother Bimby, making fun of his physical posture, and describing him as “walang kwenta,” (useless) while the co-hosts laughed.

Addressing the viral incident, Benitez criticized the remarks for reinforcing harmful stereotypes against persons with disabilities (PWDs).

“Calling someone ‘walang kwenta’ because of his special needs is not just insensitive — it is an attack on his dignity and worth as a human being,” Benitez stressed, adding that such a behavior should never be tolerated.

Benitez reminded the public that having autism does not lessen a person’s value or entitlement to respect, reinforcing that a person’s condition is never a reason to trample upon their dignity.

He urged the public to learn compassion and inclusion, instead of committing discrimination, concluding that “no one should ever be made to feel worthless for being different.”

Benitez joins a growing list of public figures, advocacy groups, and prominent personalities condemning the podcast hosts. /apl