The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has reminded all content creators and individuals to always respect persons with disabilities, including those with neurodevelopmental conditions, especially in digital spaces.
Photos: Pexels
In a statement released on October 15, 2026, DSWD Spokesperson and Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao emphasized the importance of showing compassion to all individuals, including those on the autism spectrum or with neurodevelopmental conditions. She said they deserve “dignity, respect, privacy, and the utmost care.”
This came after a now-deleted episode of the Machong Chismisan podcast surfaced, with the hosts under fire for their remarks about Kris Aquino’s eldest son, Josh Aquino.
The agency’s spokesperson also urged all content creators to be responsible when discussing topics related to vulnerable groups, as it is part of protecting their rights.
Photo: Freepik
“Every individual with a disability, including those on the autism spectrum or with neurodevelopmental conditions, deserves dignity, respect, privacy, and the utmost care. Exploiting a person’s disability for amusement, ridicule, or online engagement is unacceptable, as it reinforces harmful stereotypes and drives discrimination against a vulnerable group,” Assistant Secretary Dumlao said.
“Content creators, like their counterparts in mainstream media, bear the responsibility of fostering respectful and inclusive digital spaces, ensuring that all content always observe sensitivity and mindfulness on the rights of vulnerable individuals,” she added.
A law protects persons with disabilities from public ridicule and vilification: Republic Act No. 7277, or the Magna Carta for Persons With Disabilities, as amended by Republic Act No. 9442.
Under the amended law, public ridicule of persons with disabilities includes making degrading jokes that embarrass them and mocking them verbally or in written form. Those found guilty of violating the law face a fine of P50,000 to P100,000 for the first violation, and P100,000 to P200,000 for subsequent violations.
In response to backlash over the viral podcast episode, Machong Chismisan hosts have issued statements and apologies for their comments about Kris’s son.
The Queen Of All Media herself, Kris Aquino, has posted her piece on her Instagram account regarding the podcast episode, in which she explained as to why she did not issue a statement, emphasizing that: “There are people I should learn not to give oxygen to, in other words ignore and the issue dies a natural death.”
Photo: Kris Aquino/Instagram
ALSO READ: Kris Aquino Breaks Silence on ‘Machong Chismisan’ Hosts’ Insensitive Remarks About Son Josh
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