METRO

Complaint filed against ‘Machong Chismisan’ at NBI

Jeffrey G. Damicog · Oct 19, 2026, 10:22 PM

1PWD Partylist first nominee John Darnell Castro files a formal complaint-referral against the hosts and producers of the 'Machong Chismisan' podcast at the National Bureau of Investigation headquarters in Manila on Monday. The complaint alleges violations of the Cybercrime Prevention Act and the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons over derogatory remarks made against Josh Aquino, a person with autism. — Photograph courtesy of 1PWD-PARTYLIST/PTV

A formal complaint was filed before the National Bureau of Investigation on Monday against the hosts and producers of the podcast "Machong Chismisan" over derogatory comments made against Josh Aquino, the son of media personality Kris Aquino.

The case was filed by 1PWD Party-list first nominee John Darnell Castro following public backlash over an episode that has since been taken down.

"We will always stand for the rights and protection of persons with disabilities," Castro said, stressing that his organization takes disparaging remarks made against the sector seriously. "We will show that persons with disabilities can fight back."

The complaint names podcast hosts Tito Patriotito, Makoy Pare, Daniel Lawrence Vivar, RJ Carbonell, and Juan Paulo Mojica as respondents, alongside the show's producers for allowing the segment to air.

Castro stated that the respondents could face criminal liability for violations of Republic Act 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, and Republic Act 7277, or the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, as amended by Republic Act 9442.

He also cited that the public ridicule and vilification of persons with disabilities are expressly prohibited under Sections 39 and 40 of RA 9442.

Prior to the formal filing, the NBI had already initiated an inquiry into the podcast episode and issued subpoenas ordering the hosts to appear before investigators on Tuesday.