Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto slammed the use of persons with disabilities (PWDs) for politics and mudslinging following a now-viral video clip of a 57-year-old resident diagnosed with psychological disability allegedly being exploited for the sake of campaigning in the upcoming May 2025 elections.
"Ipakita na lang natin na hindi ito katanggap-tanggap sa Pasig. Also, let's try to report the original post. Kawawa naman 'yung PWD (Let's show them that this is now acceptable in Pasig. Also, let's try to report the original post)," Sotto said in his Facebook page.
In the viral video posted on "The Journal Pasig" Facebook page, the PWD, identified as "Mary," said she will no longer vote for Sotto due to lack of assistance coming from his administration, adding that she will vote for Sarah Discaya, Sotto's rival for the mayoral seat, instead.
After her video became viral on social media, Mary's family asked her about her statements.
According to her, she was just about to claim rice from a candidate in the other barangay but was told she needed to record a video before she could leave.
"Dinala niya ako sa isang sulok na walang nakakarinig na tao. Sabi ko, 'Hindi ko po alam sasabihin ko, hindi ko po alam gagawin ko. Tinuruan niya ako kung ano ang sasabihin ko (The person brought me to a corner where no one else can hear us. I told that person that I don't know what to say or do. He then taught me what to say instead)," she said.
Mary's niece cried foul over the incident, saying that those involved took advantage of her aunt's disability for their own good.
Mary's mom also lamented what has happened to her daughter, saying that she became even more distressed ever since the video became viral.
Under Investigation
On Monday, April 7, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian directed the agency to launch a fact-finding investigation into the alleged exploitation of Mary.
“We have dispatched a fact-finding team to look into the reported malicious exploitation of a mentally-challenged person who was put on video and forced to say negative things against the incumbent mayor. And if proven true, the DSWD will take the lead in filing the case against those behind the video,” Gatchalian said.
He explained that using persons with disabilities for political purposes could constitute a violation of Republic Act (RA) No. 7610, also known as the “Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act.”
“We will treat that as exploitation and abuse of the person with disability and if proven true, we will see to it that the Department takes the lead in filing appropriate charges against the people behind this allegation,” Gatchalian said.
“Once again, the poor, marginalized, and vulnerable should not be exploited for the political gains of any candidate. As it is, our people with disabilities endure hardships day in and day out—they should be protected and aided, not abused,” he added.
RA 7610 protects children and vulnerable adults, including those with physical or mental disabilities, from all forms of abuse, neglect, exploitation, and discrimination. The law includes severe penalties for offenders and outlines preventive and treatment programs.