MANILA – Senator Joel Villanueva said Thursday content creators, production companies, and digital platforms must be held accountable for material that ridicules persons with disabilities (PWDs), following public outrage over a podcast that mocked Joshua “Josh” Aquino, the elder son of television personality Kris Aquino.
Villanueva said the controversy surrounding the Machong Chismisan podcast exposed the persistence of discrimination against persons on the autism spectrum and the need for stronger safeguards before offensive content reaches the public.
“Sa mga creator at podcaster: may impluwensya kayo, kaya may pananagutan kayo (To creators and podcasters: You have influence, and therefore, you have responsibility),” he said in a statement.
He warned that turning disabilities into entertainment could normalize discrimination among audiences, particularly when influential online personalities engage in degrading humor.
“Hindi po sapat ang pagbura ng episode pagkatapos ng kaguluhan (Deleting an episode after the controversy is not enough),” he said, emphasizing that production companies and networks must establish clear editorial standards before releasing content.
The controversy erupted Wednesday after clips from an Oct. 5 episode of Machong Chismisan, titled Ang Pagbabalik ni Kris Aquino, circulated online.
During the discussion, one of the hosts made disparaging remarks about Josh, who is on the autism spectrum, while other participants laughed.
The backlash prompted the podcast’s hosts to apologize and remove the episode from streaming platforms.
On Thursday, The Pod Network announced that it had formally terminated its contract with the podcast and removed the program from its roster, effective immediately.
The Autism Society Philippines also condemned the incident, emphasizing that disability should never become a target of humiliation disguised as comedy.
Existing legal protection
The controversy has also drawn attention to Republic Act 9442, which amended the Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities to prohibit public ridicule and vilification based on disability.
Under the law, public ridicule includes degrading jokes, mockery, and offensive imitation, while violations may carry fines of PHP50,000 to PHP100,000, imprisonment of six months to two years, or both for a first offense.
Whether particular statements constitute an offense would depend on the circumstances and the findings of the proper authorities.
Villanueva said the issue extends beyond the Aquino family, reflecting the challenges faced by parents, siblings, and caregivers who work to build inclusive environments for their loved ones.
“A nation does not get to call itself inclusive while its loudest voices treat disability as entertainment,” he said.
He stressed that years of efforts to improve access to education, employment, and public services for PWDs should not be undermined by discriminatory behavior in digital spaces.
The senator also reminded online platforms that their responsibility does not end with hosting content.
“Those who shape the digital environment must also take responsibility for making it safe,” he said.
Villanueva called for action against content that demeans PWDs, saying the same commitment expected of platforms in protecting children online should extend to individuals vulnerable to discrimination and public humiliation. (Wilnard Bacelonia/PNA)
RESPECT FOR PWDs. Senator Joel Villanueva condemns on Thursday (Oct. 15, 2026) the mockery of Joshua “Josh” Aquino, who is on the autism spectrum, by content creators in a podcast episode. Villanueva urges digital platforms, production companies, and content creators to take responsibility for material that demeans persons with disabilities
