Panelo, once father to a child with special needs, calls out Alvarez for 'autistic' remark

Senatorial aspirant Salvador Panelo has called out Davao del Norte 1st district Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez for his remark relating to persons with special needs to ridicule his political rival.

In a statement, Panelo, father of the late Salvador Panelo III who had down syndrome, said he was "saddened" and "pained to hear" that his friend used the words "autistic" and "special child" to mock his opponent.

"That is an affront to all children with special needs, and offensive to the sensibilities of their parents, including myself. Those terms and any term that refers to a child with special needs should only be used in the context of describing how they are angels living among us," he said.

Panelo, whose platform includes passing a bill protecting those with special needs, said "Let's not add discrimination and ridicule to the burdens they have to carry."

He said: "It's hard enough as it is to be born with disabilities, and to provide care for them, without enough support from government."

Panelo said he hopes Alvarez would atone "for his mistake by educating himself about the plight of children with special needs and their families and by joining our advocacy to make the government give them the protection and support they deserve".

Panelo's son passed away in 2017.