By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet

A podcast recently gained traction on mainstream media for the wrong reasons, as it involved unacceptable remarks made by the hosts and guests about Kris Aquino’s son.

Machong Chismisan aired Season 29, Episode 20, titled “Ang Pagbabalik ni Kris Aquino,” on October 5, 2026—with Makoy Pare and Tito P as the hosts and Daniel Lawrence Vivar, RJ Carbonell, and Juan Paulo Mojica as the other participants in the now-deleted episode.

It has since drawn widespread criticism from various government agencies and lawmakers for insensitive statements making fun of Joshua Aquino and his neurodevelopmental condition.

In a news release late Wednesday, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) issued a warning against making derogatory comments about persons with disabilities.

Assistant Secretary and Spokesperson Irene Dumlao said, “We urge all content creators to exercise responsibility in discussing topics that make fun and violate the rights of vulnerable sectors such as persons with disabilities, whether it is apparent or non-apparent.”

Echoing the same message of condemnation, the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) called the erring episode as disrespectful and unacceptable in all forms, noting how those on the autism spectrum became the subject of demeaning commentary.

The NCDA statement read, “Persons with disabilities must be treated with absolute respect, empathy, and understanding, not subjects of mockery for cheap entertainment and clout. Punch-down humor masked as freedom of expression serves to fuel and amplify the harmful stigma against those protected by disability rights.”

At this juncture, the Autism Society Philippines (ASP) urged content creators and podcasters to let the now-deleted episode be a cautionary tale on using persons with disabilities as subjects of degrading humor.

An excerpt from ASP’s news release read, “The Autism Society Philippines opines that the digital world is not beyond the reach of accountability. Free expression comes with responsibility. Build an audience through creativity, insight, and wit—not by stripping others of their dignity.”

Undesirable cruelty

Apart from these concerned agencies, some lawmakers also pushed back at Machong Chismisan podcast for poking fun at Joshua Aquino’s autism.

In a statement uploaded on social media, House Committee on Women and Gender Equality Chairperson Rep. Rene Ann Lourdes Matibag criticized the blatant showcase of toxic masculinity by the podcast participants.

It read, “As a children’s rights advocate and a woman leader, I find it appalling that grown men would turn someone’s disability into entertainment. There is nothing funny, brave, or masculine about mocking someone who may not be in a position to defend himself. That is not humor. That is cruelty.”

For his part, House Special Committee on Persons with Disabilities Chairperson and Albay 2nd District Representative Carlos Andres Loria called out the now-deleted episode as an insult that no human being should ever receive in the first place.

Rep. Loria’s statement read, “Persons with disabilities have their own voices, aspirations, relationships, and contributions to our communities. Their dignity does not depend on their abilities, their achievements, their family name, or the willingness of others to understand them. It is theirs by right.”

The agencies and lawmakers noted that Season 29, Episode 20 runs afoul of sections 39 to 42 of Republic Act No. 7277, otherwise known as the Magna Carta for Persons with Disability, as amended by Section 2 of Republic Act No. 9442, and expressed oneness with Josh Aquino, his family, and other persons on the autism spectrum amid this controversy.

Swiftly acting upon the backlash on social media, The Pod Network Entertainment promptly terminated the contract of Machong Chismisan podcast, and has taken it off streaming platforms such as Spotify, YouTube Music, and Apple Music.

An excerpt from the statement of the podcast’s former management read, “Persons with disabilities and neurodivergent individuals deserve dignity and respect, and that includes how they are talked about on our shows. We are sorry for the hurt this has caused.”

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