The National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) has expressed full support for the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) Caloocan after a person with disability was mocked in a viral social media post.
The post, styled as a parody of the video game Grand Theft Auto, carried the caption “LEAKED: GTA VI Caloocan City” and edited images of a person with disability.
It drew more than 8,200 laughing reactions, hundreds of shares, and numerous comments, reinforcing what the NCDA described as a “viral culture of ridicule.”
NCDA stressed that mocking a person because of their disability is a violation of their rights under Republic Act No. 9442, which prohibits public ridicule and vilification against persons with disabilities.
“Mockery and discrimination—especially targeting a person’s disability—have no place in a just and inclusive society,” the council said in its statement on August 13.
Section 39 of RA 9442 defines public ridicule as “an act of making fun or contemptuous imitating or making mockery of persons with disability,” while Section 41 describes vilification as any public activity that incites hatred, contempt, or severe ridicule of persons with disability.
Violators may face a fine ranging from P50,000 to P100,000, imprisonment of six months to two years, or both, at the court’s discretion.
NCDA commended PDAO Caloocan for pursuing justice, noting that their action is not about “vengeance” but about “education, legal clarity, and dignity".
“This case is not about one offensive post—it’s about drawing a line in the sand. Disability is not entertainment. Ridicule has consequences,” the council said.
The NCDA also urged content creators and online platforms to practice disability sensitivity, inclusive storytelling, and responsible media use.
“To the disability community and PDAO Caloocan—we are with you. Your voice matters. Your dignity is non-negotiable,” the council added.