NBI Urged to Probe Discriminatory Online Attacks Against Persons With Disabilities

Rep. Perci Cendaña of Akbayan party-list has urged the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to probe up to 30 online accounts for alleged dehumanizing, homophobic, and discriminatory remarks against persons with disabilities (PWDs). Accompanied by PWD advocates, Cendaña filed the complaint at the NBI headquarters in Pasay against online influencers and vloggers including Cho Moreno, MP Miko Pogay, and Kiffy Chu. The lawmaker stated that these accounts allegedly posted content that may violate the Magna Carta of Disabled Persons and the Safe Spaces Act. The congressman called for an investigation into online bullying, harassment, mockery, and discrimination targeting PWDs. Cendaña mentioned that he himself has been subjected to "relentless online attacks" and "dehumanizing remarks," but stressed that the complaint goes beyond his personal experience. "Ultimately, this is about how we treat PWDs. No space or platform, online or offline, should ever be a venue to mock, humiliate, and dehumanize PWDs," Cendaña said. "We are asking the NBI to send a clear message: disability is not a joke, and dehumanizing PWDs is not a punchline." This move highlights growing concerns about hate speech and discrimination in the digital space in the Philippines. Attacks against vulnerable groups, in particular, pose challenges to societal tolerance and inclusivity.