DSWD probes ‘forcing’ of PWD to badmouth Vico Sotto

The Department of Social Welfare and Development is investigating the people behind a viral video of a person with disability badmouthing reelectionist Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto. — File photo

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) tasked a fact-finding committee on Monday to investigate the alleged exploitation of a person with disability (PWD) who badmouthed reelectionist Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto in a viral video.

“We have dispatched a fact-finding team to look into the reported malicious exploitation of a mentally challenged person who was put on video and forced to say negative things against the incumbent mayor,” DSWD Secretart Rex Gatchalian said in a statement. “And if proven true, the DSWD will take the lead in filing the case against those behind the video.”

The 57-year-old woman said in the video that she would no longer vote for Sotto, citing the absence of assistance from the mayor. She also said she would vote for the opposition candidate in the city’s mayoral race.

According to the DSWD, the woman’s niece said her aunt was deceived into saying those words.

“The person with disability’s niece has decried the malicious video saying that her aunt simply went to get free rice from a candidate in a neighboring barangay, but was told that she needed to record a video before she could leave,” the DSWD said in a statement.

The DSWD further said the mother of the PWD “was dismayed because her daughter has been distressed since the video was uploaded.”

Gatchalian noted that using PWDs for political ends may be a violation of Republic Act 7610 or the “Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.”

“We will treat that as exploitation and abuse of the person with disability and if proven true, we will see to it that the department takes the lead in filing appropriate charges against the people behind this,” Gatchalian said.

“Once again, the poor, marginalized, and vulnerable should not be exploited for the political gains of any candidate. As it is, our people with disabilities endure hardships day in and day out — they should be protected and aided, not abused,” he added.

On Friday, Gatchalian also called out a congressional candidate who is also running under Discaya.

READ: DSWD calls out Pasig House bet Ian Sia for joke vs single moms: ‘Not funny’

Gatchalian said he did not find funny Ian Sia’s remarks offering himself to single mothers, especially “menstruating” ones.

“Using our vulnerable, poor, and marginalized sectors as the butt of jokes is not the way to go,” Gatchalian said in a Facebook post.