Tito P of Machong Chismisan podcast skips NBI invitation due to mental health concerns

Tito P of the Machong Chismisan podcast skipped the invitation of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) earlier this week and cited his mental health concerns. The invitation coming from the NBI was due to the now-deleted episode where he mocked Josh Aquino and compared him to his younger brother, Bimby Aquino, while the rest of the hosts seemed to be laughing at the comment. 

The episode drew backlash from netizens and called out the hosts for the inappropriate comments made against Josh.

Daniel Vivar was the first to arrive at the NBI while Tito P sent a letter through his legal team that explained why he couldn’t go–– citing his mental health as the reason. 1PWD Party-list’s John Daniel Castro, who filed a complaint against the hosts and the producers of the podcast, maintained that they will have to verify the official diagnosis of Tito P.

“We have to verify kung talagang diagnosed si sir–– si Tito P–– ng sinasabi niyang bipolar and ADHD kasi wala naman attachment yung letter so we’ll have to see din… It will never be an excuse–– hindi natin hahayaan na gamitin din yung kapansanan para makalusot sila sa ginawa nila sa may mga kapansanan,” he said.

Meanwhile, NBI Director Melvin Matibag asserted that even though the hosts may opt not to go to their headquarters for questioning, they will still investigate the situation at hand and use their podcast as the basis of the complaint.  

“Kung hindi man sila dumating, ang pag babasihan natin dito ay yung kanilang mismong podcast at tsaka yung nangyari. Malinaw sa batas sa ilalim ng Magna Carta for Persons with Disability Republic Act 7277 na ito’y inamendahan ng Republic 9442, ipinagbabawal ang pampublikong pangungutsa at paninirang puri laban sa taong may kapansanan at may kaakibat itong multa at pagkakakulong,” the NBI Director claimed. 

Previously, Tito P released a statement that he is also neurodivergent and that he has learned from his actions. Machong Chismisan also uploaded a public apology and assured everyone that they will be accountable for what transpired. 

“As someone with ADHD, impulse control can make filtering thoughts difficult. An edgy joke might pop into my head, and before my executive functioning can evaluate the social risk, it has already been said aloud.  I share this not to excuse my behavior, but to provide context,” Tito P previously shared.