‘Macho’ hosts turn meek, apologize for mocking Kris Aquino son Josh

MANILA, Philippines — What began as macho posturing on a podcast ended in profuse apologies after its all-male hosts faced fierce backlash for mocking celebrity Kris Aquino’s son, who is on the autism spectrum.

Government agencies, advocates and netizens came together on Thursday to criticize the podcast “Machong Chismisan” over its Oct. 5 episode, where one of the hosts known as “Tito P” called Josh, Aquino’s eldest son, “walang kwenta” (useless), as the other participants laughed and cussed.

Later in the day, the podcast issued a statement offering its “sincerest apologies” to Aquino, Josh and the “entire Aquino family” and vowed to work with concerned groups.

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READ: Senators slam mockery of persons with autism

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Following the furor, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) warned content creators against disparaging persons with disabilities (PWDs).

The DSWD said such acts violate Republic Act No. 7277, or the Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities, which seeks to protect PWDs’ well-being and dignity, and ensure their integration into mainstream society.

“Every individual with a disability, including those on the autism spectrum or with neurodevelopmental conditions, deserves dignity, respect, privacy, and the utmost care,” said DSWD spokesperson and Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao.

“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,” she added.

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Broad condemnation

The law imposes a fine ranging from P50,000 to P200,000, or imprisonment from six months up to six years for violations.

READ: Philippine autism group condemns ‘The Boyet Challenge’

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The podcast’s controversial episode, titled “Ang Pagbabalik ni Kris Aquino,” gained traction online on Tuesday, Oct. 13, and went viral, receiving outcry from social media users. It was the 20th episode of Season 29.

Earlier on Thursday, producer and network host The Pod Network Entertainment announced that it had terminated the show’s contract and scrubbed it off streaming platforms such as Spotify and Apple.

Before its abrupt cancellation, “Machong Chismisan” was dubbed as one of the country’s longest-running comedy and pop culture podcasts having been launched in December 2018.

“We take full accountability for our actions and behavior during the episode. We acknowledge that our conduct was inexcusable, deeply insensitive, and hurtful. We recognize the impact of our actions, and we do not wish to make excuses for the harm we have caused,” the podcast stated.

The DSWD’s Dumlao said “content creators, like their counterparts in mainstream media, bear the responsibility of fostering respectful and inclusive digital spaces” and must “observe sensitivity and mindfulness on the rights of vulnerable individuals.”

“We urge all content creators to exercise responsibility in discussing topics that make fun and violate the rights of vulnerable sectors such as [PWDs], whether it is apparent or nonapparent,” she said.

“We need to protect their dignity not only as an act of compassion but also as part of upholding their human rights,” she added.

In separate statements, Autism Society Philippines (ASP), the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) and the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) have criticized the podcast and its hosts.

ASP said disability should not be used as a punchline and called for accountability from the content creators’ management, digital platforms, and the government.

The NCDA pointed out that RA 7277 provides that PWDs must be given respect and dignity in physical or digital spaces.

“Hence, curating content that trivializes their condition for viral reach and entertainment constitutes a form of ridicule and disrespect, violating their dignity and perpetuating systemic discrimination. This principle applies equally to sharing and reposting them,” it said.

It asked the public to refrain from sharing or reposting any contents on social media that degrade or mock PWDs.

Reinforcing stereotypes

The CWC, an attached agency of the DSWD, said discriminatory remarks do not just offend the targeted person but also reinforces harmful stereotypes.

These stereotypes “can shape how society treats [PWDs], including children who are already vulnerable to bullying, exclusion, and discrimination,” the CWC said.

It reminded content creators and the media of their influence over public perceptions, especially among young audiences.

“When disability becomes a punchline, the message children receive is that being different makes them less worthy of respect,” said CWC executive director and Undersecretary Angelo Tapales.

“We cannot allow this mindset to take root in our homes, schools, communities, or digital spaces. Those with public influence have a responsibility to use their platforms without diminishing another person’s dignity,” he added.

‘No intention to malign’

On Wednesday, “Machong Chismisan” apologized for the hosts’ demeanor and remarks, recognizing that the comments made during the deleted episode “were inexcusably insensitive and hurtful.”

“There has never been any intention to malign or punch down for the sake of likes or views, nor to raise ourselves to be a platform where the people speaking are always correct, or always funny,” the podcast said in a statement signed by “Makoy Pare,” its main host.

“Tito P,” also known as “Tito Patrioto,” and one of the podcast’s cohosts, issued a separate apology.

He was the one who quipped: “Si Bimby, sobrang okay na anak. Si Josh, walang kuwenta, e,” referring to Aquino’s two sons.

“Regrettably, I made remarks that were disparaging toward Josh Aquino and hurt many people who relate to his condition as a person on the autism spectrum, as well as those who have loved ones like him,” he said.

‘Unwanted publicity’

He disclosed that he, too, has been diagnosed as neurodivergent and that he can “relate” to Josh.

“While this does not excuse my hurtful words or the laughter that followed, I hope people will consider that I was not coming from a place of malice or hurtful intent. As someone with ADHD, impulse control can make filtering thoughts difficult,” he said.

He also apologized to his fellow hosts and to The Pod Network who were “subjected to unwanted publicity.”

The other participants in the episode were Lawrence Vivar, Juan Paulo Mojica and RJ Carbonell, a guest.

Clear standards

Senators, meanwhile, said such behavior has no place in society or in digital space.

“Who in their right mind would make a mockery of a person on the spectrum? What kind of entertainment does one get for humiliating a person who cannot stand up for oneself?” Sen. Joel Villanueva asked.

He also said it was not enough for production companies and networks to delete offending episodes following backlash: “You should have clear standards in place before airing such content.

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Sen. Risa Hontiveros, chair of the Senate committee on women, children, family relations and gender equality, issued a reminder: “To everyone, especially those with platforms, remember that the true measure of our character is how we treat the most vulnerable members of our society. They are the ones we should protect, not make fun of.” —With reports from Dianne Sampang, Isabelle Pechay, and  Anne Pasajol