Cong. Matibag stands with Josh, others
“There is nothing funny, brave, or masculine about mocking someone who may not be in a position to defend himself.”
Thus, said Laguna First District Representative Ann Matibag who took exception to sensitive comments on Josh Aquino, eldest son of Kris Aquino, in a sad episode in the podcast ‘Machong Chismisan’ aired recently.
“That is not humor. That is cruelty,” stressed the Laguna lawmaker.
The podcast host, said to be ‘pinakamabangis, pinakamalakas,’ made disparaging remarks on Josh, calling him ‘walang kwenta’ and ‘naka tunganga,’ turning a person with autism into a subject of ridicule and laughter.
“As a mother, I am deeply angered by the public ridicule directed at Josh Aquino, a person with disability. As children's advocate and a woman leader, I find it appalling that grown men would turn someone disability into entertainment,” said Matibag, Chairperson of Committee on Women and Gender Equality in the House of Representatives.
“As a woman, I reject a culture of toxic masculinity that mistakes humiliation for strength and cruelty for humor,” added Matibag.
According to Matibag, real strength is not measured by the ability to ridicule the vulnerable, but by the courage to defend them.
“Our laws, particularly RA 7277 as amended by RA 9442, expressly prohibit public ridicule and vilification of persons with disabilities. Calling it a joke does not erase responsibility or accountability,” she said.
“I stand with Josh Aquino, his mother Kris, and every family fighting for the dignity and protection of their loved ones,” declared Matibag, stressing that this not simply about one podcast or one offensive remark.
“It is about the kind of society we choose to become. We cannot speak of inclusion and equality while tolerating the humiliation of persons with disabilities. Disability is never a punchline. Cruelty is never comedy. and silence in the face of discrimination is never acceptable,” she said.
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