Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian on Monday, April 7 directed the agency to launch a fact-finding investigation into the alleged exploitation of a mentally-challenged woman who was reportedly coerced into appearing in a video with negative remarks about Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto.
“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,” Secretary Gatchalian said.
The DSWD chief 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.
It specifically mandates that government agencies ensure the protection of minors and those with special needs from abuse or exploitation.
The controversy began when a video was uploaded to the Journal Pasig Facebook page, showing a 57-year-old woman with a psychological disability.
In the video, the woman said she would no longer vote for Sotto in the upcoming election due to a lack of assistance from his administration.
She also expressed support for the opposition candidate in Pasig's mayoral race.
The person with disability’s niece has decried the malicious video saying that her aunt only went to get free rice from a candidate in a neighboring barangay, but was told that she needed to record a video before she could leave.