Following a controversial video posted on September 14 that showed PCOO Assistant Secretary (ASec) Margaux “Mocha” Uson and video blogger Andrew Olivar seemingly mocking the Filipino Sign Language (FSL), De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde President (DLS-CSB) Br. Dennis Magbanua FSC expressed the College’s condemnation of the Olivar and Uson’s actions, as well as urging the government to strip Uson of her position.
In an official statement released yesterday, September 18, Magbanua stressed that such actions are a clear violation of Republic Act (RA) 9442 or the Magna Carta for Persons with Disability. Sec. 39. Public Ridicule of the Republic Act states that it is illegal to ridicule, mock, and make fun of persons with disabilities.
“For purposes of this chapter, public ridicule shall be defined as an act of making fun or contemptuous imitating or making mockery of persons with disability whether in writing, or in words, or in action due to their impairment/s,” the RA states.
Sec. 46. Penal Clause states that doing such acts are punishable with a fine from Php50,000 to Php200,000 or imprisonment from six months to six years.
“We call on the government to take action against Mr. Olivar and ASec. Uson, and impose the appropriate penalties as provided by law. Furthermore, the acts of ASec. Uson are deemed unbecoming of a government official who, according to RA 6713, is expected to have a high standard of ethics in public service. We urge this government to consider the removal of ASec. Uson,” Magbanua emphasized.
The Brother President ended his statement saying that the College “remains vigilant” and “will continue to hold accountable those who demean and ridicule the Filipino Deaf Community and Filipino Sign Language.”
We support the Deaf community and PWDs in the pursuit of full enjoyment and realization of their rights without any discrimination. pic.twitter.com/VcSkba5Cb4
— Benilde (@BenildeNews) September 19, 2018
Public apologies
After the backlash, Uson has since removed the controversial video from her Facebook page, Mocha Uson Blog, and posted a video apology.
“I take full responsibility sa ginawa ng aking radio show partner at kaibigan. Kaya po sa’ting mga kapatid sa Deaf community nawa’y tanggapin niyo po ang aking sorry. Please forgive me,” Uson said while signing in FSL.
Read more: Start learning Filipino Sign Language with FSL Buddy
Meanwhile, Olivar took to Facebook Live to state his apology.
“Alam kong mali ako, kaya nanghihingi po ako ng tawad sa Deaf community. Binababa ko po ang sarili ko, alam kong mali ako. I’m sorry, patawarin niyo po ako sa pagiging insensitive ko, sa pagiging childish ko… May natutunan po ako sa inyo.”
Last September 17, several Deaf groups held a meeting at the Taft campus. As of 4:06 p.m. today, the Commission on Human Rights confirmed that the Philippine Federation of the Deaf has already filed a complaint against Uson and Olivar.
In a statement, the Philippine Federation of the Deaf noted how “FSL should be equally and respectfully treated as Filipino and English languages since it is the primary means of our daily communication like everyone else in terms of education, social, politics, business and religion. We strongly demand that they must be punished accordingly.”
Deaf groups hold a meeting at the College of St. Benilde following the viral video of Asec. Mocha Uson and vlogger Drew Olivar pretending to use sign language. They said ridiculing the Deaf is in violation of the Magna Carta for Persons with Disabilities. | @kristinesabillo pic.twitter.com/iQSJK6EtYq
— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) September 17, 2018
With its advocacy for diversity and inclusivity, DLS-CSB is home to the Benilde Deaf School, a model high school for the Deaf, which opened its doors last August. The College also offers FSL lessons to the Benildean community, spearheaded by the School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies, in addition to opportunities and accommodations provided to Deaf students and associates.
