Mocha may have been absolved by his superior PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar and President Rodrigo Duterte from her obscene and insulting mimicking of hearing-and speech-impaired people when she was promoting federalism with her blogger friend. Some of her fans and followers may have taken too much pleasure on what they did and even blindly defended them.
However, the Philippine Federation of the Deaf did not find it funny at all. Needless to say, they were insulted and outraged by them for making fun the official language and the official mode of communication used by deaf individuals.
Philippine Federation of the Deaf President Carolyn Dagani, filed a case against Uson and Olivar who made “fun” and “killed the dignity” of the deaf community.
In the video posted on Uson’s Facebook, “Pepederalismo” which was eventually deleted showed Olivar mimicking sign language and making sounds in an apparent imitation of hearing- and speech-impaired people. Uson could be heard laughing off camera before remarking: “Para kang unggoy dyan (You’re like a monkey there.”
Dagani, president of PFD, said the video of Uson and Olivar “is an insult to the entire deaf community and to all persons with disabilities.”
Dagani joined other advocates of an inclusive society in calling for Uson’s resignation.PDF has also filed a complaint before the Commission on Human Rights and Office of the Ombudsman.
Uson, a government official, “shall not discriminate against anyone, especially the poor and the underprivileged,”according to the Code of Conduct for Public Officials and Employees.But Olivar is a not from the government service.
The Republic Act 9442, meanwhile, prohibits ridicule, both verbal and non-verbal, against PWDs, which can intimidate them or make them lose their self esteem. Uson and Olivar have issued online apologies over the video.
The duo earlier drew flak or the “pepederalismo” video, which critics and even allies of the president said maligned the cause of federalism. In the complaint filed against Uson and Olivar, the two are accused of violating the amended Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, and Cybercrime Prevention Act.
While both Uson and Olivar apologized, the PFD President rejected the apology and the cases filed against them will be pushed through.
As of this writing, THEPHILBIZNEWS tries to get the sides of Olivar and Uson as well as the Philippine Federation of the Deaf President Carolyn Dagani, but we did not get any response yet from all parties have been given.