2 groups mull lawsuit vs podcast hosts for maligning Josh Aquino – NCDA
The National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) on Friday said it is coordinating with two groups who are mulling a possible lawsuit against hosts of the Machong Chismisan podcast for maligning celebrity Kris Aquino’s son Josh, who is on the autism spectrum.
In the now-deleted episode, Tito P, one of the podcast hosts, compared brothers Bimby and Josh Aquino while the rest of the hosts were seemingly laughing at the remark. Tito P described Aquino’s son Josh as “walang kwenta” (worthless) and even reacted to a claim that the Aquino son was getting a P3,000 daily allowance for doing nothing.
The hosts have since apologized to the Aquino family while The Pod Network has terminated its contract with Machong Chismisan effective immediately.
Speaking to DZMM, NCDA Executive Director Glenda Relova said the NCDA on its own cannot file a case because it is not the aggrieved party and does have police or judicial power.
“Dalawa po ‘yung kinakausap namin na maaaring mag-file ng case,” she said in a radio DZMM interview.
Relova said Republic Act No. 7277, or the Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities, lays out the penalties against individuals who “bully, vilify, objectify or discriminate” against those with disabilities.
First-time violators face a fine of P50,000 to P100,000 or a six-month to two-year jail sentence or both at the discretion of the court.
“Kinakailangan po lagi nating isipin na i-[uphold] lagi natin ang dignity at respeto…Lagi dapat tayong may respeto sa kapwa natin, more so sa mga taong may kapansanan kasi hindi natin alam ang pinagdaraanan po nila at mas higit ang challenges sa mga taong may kapansanan,” she said.
Relova said the Machong Chismisan podcast shows the need for wider disability sensitivity training and advocacy on the rights of PWDs.
She said the NCDA has also asked Congress to grant the group quasi-judicial powers so it can impose sanctions or penalties on violators instead of the complaints being passed around.
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag earlier said he has directed the Cybercrime Division and Special Action Unit to investigate and file appropriate charges against the Machong Chismisan hosts.
Meanwhile, Kris Aquino has finally responded to the controversy, saying she initially chose to be quiet to avoid a word war.
Aquino, dubbed the “Queen of All Media,” said Josh is a big help to her as she battles several autoimmune illnesses including lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren’s syndrome, and others.
“I haven’t felt the need to share with you what happens in our home. But to set the record straight, Kuya is with me during our afternoon siesta, although mine stretches to 4 hours. When he sees Bimb going to his computer, Kuya knows it’s his shift,” she said.
She added that Josh often offers his shoulder because she sleeps best with her head “resting on Kuya’s shoulder and my arms wrapped around his left arm.”
Aquino said she is in so much pain and has been bedridden for five days.
“If you don’t see reels- that’s the sign, i am in need of more prayers,” she said.
“Bimb still needs more years to be ready for his lifelong responsibility of taking care of his Kuya Josh. That’s why ang mama nila hindi pa pwedeng isuko ang laban,” she added.