PNA
MANILA – Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian has directed concerned agency officials to coordinate with the Antipolo City local government in filing a criminal case against a group of men who made fun of a female senior citizen, as shown in a video that has since gone viral.
“We will work with the Antipolo City LGU (local government unit) in filing a case against the group of four men who made fun of the senior citizen who is also a person with disability (PWD). This is a very cruel act and those responsible should be charged in court,” Gatchalian said, as quoted in a news release on Saturday.
He also tasked Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao to send a DSWD team who will assist the elderly woman in the incident that occurred in Barangay Dela Paz in Antipolo City, Rizal on March 31.
Dumlao, who is also with the special concerns of the Office of the Secretary, said those behind the mockery of the elderly PWD are liable under Republic Act 9442, an act amending RA 7277, otherwise known as the “Magna Carta for Disabled Persons.”
“Elderly people, especially when they have disabilities, should be respected and given the care they deserve by their families and the community where they belong,” the DSWD spokesperson said.
Under RA 9442, the verbal or non-verbal ridicule and vilification of PWDs are expressly prohibited and entail penalties of a fine of not less than PHP50,000 or imprisonment of not less than six months for the first violation.
For any subsequent violation, a fine of not less than PHP100,000.00 but not exceeding PHP200,000.00 or imprisonment of not less than two years but not more than six years, or both will be meted at the discretion of the court. (PNA)
