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A podcast show was recently terminated after its hosts made disparaging remarks about Kris Aquino's son, Josh, and his disability.
The network issued a statement apologizing for the remarks in the now-deleted Machong Chismisan post as it garnered an uproar online.
TV Host Boy Abunda condemned the remarks, describing them as cruel and hurtful to Josh and other people with disabilities (PWDs) and their families.
Meanwhile, child protection specialist Ace Diloy told GMA News Online that as much the public enjoys their right to freedom of speech, they should also exercise their humanity and emphasize with the vulnerable sectors.
Under Republic Act No. 9442 or the Magna Carta for Persons with Disability, public ridicule and vilification against PWDs are strictly prohibited.
The law amended to RA No. 7277 or the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons.
RA 9442 defined public ridicule as an "act of making fun or contemptuous initiating or making mockery of persons with disability whether in writing or in words, or in action due to their impairment/s."
"No individual, group or community shall execute any of these acts of ridicule against persons with disability in any time and place which could intimidate or result in loss of self-esteem of the latter," the law stated.
Meanwhile, the amended measure defined vilification as an utterance of slanderous and abusive statements against, or inciting hatred toward or severe ridicule of, a PWD.
"Any individual, group or community is hereby prohibited from vilifying any person with disability which could result into loss of self-esteem of the latter," the law stated.
A person found committing such prohibited acts will face a fine of P5,000 to P100,000 or imprisonment for six months to two years, or both.
Repeat offenders will be fined P100,000 to P200,000 or imprisonment of two to six years, or both.
If the violator is a corporation, organization or any similar entity, its officials directly involved will be liable.
If the violator is a foreigner, they will be deported immediately after serving their prison sentence without further deportation proceedings.
Upon filing a complaint and after proper notice and hearing, authorities may cancel or revoke the business permit, operating permit, franchise, or other privileges of any business that violates the said measure.
— BAP, GMA News