NBI summons podcasters who mocked Josh Aquino

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation has summoned the hosts of the podcast “Machong Chismisan” to explain before the NBI next week why they mocked Josh Aquino, Kris Aquino’s son, who is on the autism spectrum.

NBI Director Melvin Matibag said subpoenas were sent to the five hosts, with two of them – Philipp Joshua de Leon and Mark Dominic Dizon – receiving the subpoena on Thursday.

Matibag said the NBI aims to determine whether the podcast hosts violated the law after calling Josh “walang kuwenta” or worthless.

Senators condemned the mockery, as they warned of legal action and a government probe into the bullying of persons with disabilities.

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian urged the National Council on Disability Affairs to investigate the podcast hosts to determine if their derogatory remarks violated the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons.

Sen. Bam Aquino, Josh’s uncle, revealed that steps were being taken against the podcasters.

“Ang totoong macho hindi minamaliit ang mga taong may kapansanan (A real man does not belittle people with disabilities),” Aquino told reporters.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros, author of the autism care and inclusion law, also slammed the podcasters for using their platform to mock people.

Even the Philippine National Police has joined the conversation over the “insensitive remarks,” with PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. warning that people could face criminal charges for vilifying persons with special needs.

In the now-deleted episode, the hosts compared Kris’ sons Josh and Bimby. A host named Tito P said, “Bimby is okay, but Josh is worthless.”

The other hosts sarcastically condemned Tito P by hurling expletives at him.

Matibag said he has directed the NBI Cybercrime Division and Special Action Unit to investigate and file charges, which might include violations of the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons and cyber libel law.

He added that The Pod Network, which aired the podcast, may also be liable for the incident, even though it had immediately removed the show.

“Machong Chismisan” has apologized to the Aquino family and the PWD community for what it acknowledged as its “inexcusable, deeply insensitive and hurtful” conduct.

In a personal statement, Tito P claimed he could personally relate to Josh because he has been diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or ADHD.

“An edgy joke might pop into my head and before my executive functioning can evaluate the social risk, it has already been said aloud,” Tito P claimed. “I share this not to excuse my behavior, but to provide context.” — Neil Jayson Servallos, Emmanuel Tupas