Lawmaker, as PWD, goes to NBI over online insults

MANILA, Philippines — Akbayan Rep. Perci Cendaña filed a complaint with the National Bureau of Investigation alongside persons with disabilities (PWD) advocates to investigate numerous online posts that ridiculed his facial features resulting from his disability, along with other remarks about his sexuality.

“It’s easy to insult [someone] when you’re hidden behind a screen. But social media is not a consequence free zone,” Cendaña said in a statement on Tuesday.

“When you use a platform to embarrass, insult or dehumanize a PWD, they should be accountable,” Cendaña added.

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Cendaña stressed that the complaint goes beyond his personal experience, calling on authorities to look into the broader problem of how PWDs are subjected to online bullying, harassment, ridicule, and discrimination.

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“This is not simply about the attacks against me. In the end, it pertains to how we actually treat persons with disabilities,” Cendaña said.

“No space or platform, online or offline, should ever be a venue to mock, humiliate, and dehumanize PWDs,” Cendaña added.

As a stroke survivor and an openly gay man, Cendaña said the posts ridiculing his physical appearance and sexuality allegedly violate the Magna Carta of Disabled Persons and the Safe Spaces Act.

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He emphasized that the law must protect PWDs not only in physical spaces but also in digital spaces, where harassment and discrimination can spread rapidly and reach thousands of people.

“No person, especially PWDs, should be made to endure constant humiliation online simply because people think there are no consequences for attacking them,” Cendaña said.

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‘Not a joke’

“We are asking the NBI to send a clear message: disability is not a joke, and dehumanizing PWDs is not a punchline,” Cendaña added.

The complaint identified at least 30 online accounts whose posts allegedly violate Sections 39 and 40 of the law, which prohibit the public ridicule and vilification of persons with disabilities, as well as Section 12 of the Safe Spaces Act, which penalizes gender-based online sexual harassment.

It also urged the NBI to determine the identities of the individuals behind the posts, investigate the alleged violations and preserve the digital evidence contained in the posts.

1PWD Partylist also condemned online content creators and influencers who mock, ridicule, or make fun of persons with disabilities (PWD) for views, likes and online engagement.

“1PWD Partylist supports and welcomes the filing of a complaint before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to determine whether laws have been violated and to hold accountable those who may be responsible,” said 1PWD Partylist in a statement sent to the Inquirer.

The party list added that posts containing online ridicule does not only hurt those affected, but reinforced discrimination, stereotypes, and the harmful perception that PWDs are objects of amusement rather than individuals deserving of dignity, respect, and equal treatment.

‘Comes with responsibility’

“We believe that freedom of expression comes with responsibility. Social media influence should never be used as a license to humiliate or degrade another person, especially members of a sector that continues to fight for genuine inclusion and respect,” they added.

Prior to filing the NBI complaint, Cendaña also submitted a letter-complaint to the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), seeking action on the dehumanizing attacks directed at him and raising the broader issue of online harassment against PWDs.

Earlier this month, the NCDA released a statement on Sept. 3 urging the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center and the Department of Social Welfare and Development – Protective Service Bureau to strengthen measures against the online exploitation of PWDs.

Concerns were raised regarding the online exploitation and objectification of individuals with Down syndrome and intellectual disabilities, as well as the online fetishization of women with disabilities in online communities.

The council called on online users to maintain the responsible use of digital spaces and respect for the rights of persons with disabilities across all platforms, urging the public to report exploitative content and stand in solidarity against digital harassment.

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It warned that the objectification, ridicule, and emotional abuse of persons with disabilities is a direct violation of Republic Act No. 7277 and the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, regardless of whether an individual is labeled a “willing victim.” —WITH A REPORT FROM SHERIDAN DELFINO INQ