Only 1 of 5 ‘Machong Chismisan’ hosts appears at NBI following subpoenas

MANILA, Philippines — Only one out of five of the subpoenaed hosts of the podcast ‘Machong Chismisan’ arrived at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Pasay City on Tuesday.

This appearance comes following a complaint against them over remarks that mocked Kris Aquino’s firstborn son Josh, who is on the autism spectrum.

The NBI earlier sent subpoenas ‘Tito P,’ whose name is Tito Patrioto; Makoy Pare, also known as Showbiz Bro; Daniel Lawrence Vivar, also known as LV; RJ Carbonell and John Paulo Mojica.

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They were invited to appear at the NBI headquarters.

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Only Vivar, together with his lawyer Pio Garayblas, showed up at the bureau. 

NBI Director Melvin Matibag said that Vivar requested to be given a chance to submit a written statement.

READ: 1PWD party-list seeks NBI help vs Machong Chismisan hosts, producers

1PWD party-list Rep. JD Castro, in a press briefing at the NBI, expressed disappointment over the four other men’s absence.

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“I was actually disappointed earlier that the hosts who were subpoenaed by the NBI did not show up,” he told the media.

“If they are truly sincere and genuine in their apologies, shouldn’t they come forward, appear before the media, and explicitly state that they regret their actions—not just toward Miss Kris Aquino’s family, but toward the entire sector?” Castro wondered aloud.

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The 1PWD Party-list on Monday filed a complaint-referral against the podcast’s hosts and producers over alleged violations of Republic Act (RA) No. 9442, which amends the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons (Republic Act No. 7277).

The partylist also suggested the filling of Republic Act No. 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

Under RA 9442, persons found guilty for a first offense may face six months to two years imprisonment and fines amounting to P50,000 to P100,000.

In an Instagram post, Kris Aquino addressed the issue, saying that “There are people I should learn not to give oxygen to, in other words ignore and the issue dies a natural death.”

Castro, however, maintained that holding the podcasters accountable is for the whole PWD sector, and not only for Josh.

“To be clear, what we have been consistently advocating for here is not just about the family of Ms. Kris Aquino and Josh Aquino. It concerns the entire PWD sector,” the lawmaker stressed.

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“Our sector should not be subjected to mistreatment, condescension or victimization—because we are strong, and we fight back,” he emphasized. /apl