Kris Aquino breaks silence on podcasters' mocking of son Josh: 'Irresponsible and uninformed opinions'
Kris Aquino has spoken out after some podcasters mocked her son Josh, who is on the spectrum.
On Instagram on Friday, Oct. 16, Aquino shared a carousel of photos showing her undergoing treatment and posing with her sons and medical team.
"Many of you have wondered why I gave no statement to what were irresponsible & uninformed opinions," Aquino wrote in a post. "A friend who I admire for his wisdom told me there are people I should learn not to give oxygen to; in other words, ignore and the issue dies a natural death."
"By never stating their names, or my feelings, they didn't get the word war from me they were expecting," she added.
Aquino also gave an update on her health. She has been suffering from multiple autoimmune diseases since she first got diagnosed in 2018. In her statement, she revealed she is displaying symptoms of a new autoimmune disease.
"I have stopped giving you health updates because I've been afraid. There are not so great numbers, and can you believe a new autoimmune disease that's exhibiting scary symptoms," she wrote.
She also shared how Josh takes care of her when he assumes caregiving duties after his younger brother Bimby, 19, finishes his "shift."
"To set the record straight, kuya (Josh) is with me during our afternoon siesta, although mine stretches to 4 hours," Aquino wrote.
"When he sees Bimb going to his computer, kuya knows it's his shift. And he loves to say: 'Mama, your shoulder's here.' I sleep best with my head resting on Kuya's shoulder and my arms wrapped around his left arm," she continued, adding Josh does this from Monday to Friday.
She ended her post by thanking her medical team, as well as her followers, for their "prayers and words of encouragement."
"If I don't post, I am in so much pain that I'm bedridden for 5 days, or if you don't see reels—that's the sign I am in need of more prayers," Aquino continued.
Podcasters' remarks vs Josh
Earlier this week, a clip from the since-deleted Oct. 5 episode of all-male podcast Machong Chismisan went viral online, showing the hosts mocking Josh.
In the episode, Tito P, one of the hosts, compared Josh with Bimby, saying, "Si Bimby, sobrang okay na anak. Si Josh, walang kuwenta, eh."
Another host, RJ Carbonell, mentioned Josh's daily school allowance of P3,000, adding, "Tapos nakatunganga siyang gano'n?"
Government agencies, PWD advocates, individual netizens, celebrities, and politicians swiftly condemned the podcasters' ignorant choice of words.
On Oct. 14, The Pod Network announced the termination of its contract with Machong Chismisan "effective immediately."
A day later, the podcast issued a public apology to the Aquino family, and Josh in particular.
"We take full accountability for our actions and behavior during the episode," the hosts wrote in a statement. "We acknowledge that our conduct was inexcusable, deeply insensitive, and hurtful. We recognize the impact of our actions, and we do not wish to make excuses for the harm we have caused."
The hosts also apologized to families of children with special needs and the PWD community.
"We recognize that our actions were not only hurtful to the Aquino family but also deeply disrespectful to the dignity and experiences of many others," the statement continued.
In the Oct. 15 episode of Fast Talk with Boy Abunda, the talk show host shared a text message he said he received from NBI director Melvin Matibag. According to Abunda, the NBI chief said he would direct the NBI Cybercrime Division and Special Action Unit to investigate the podcast hosts and file a case.
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