MANILA – Sen. Nancy Binay slammed Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Margaux “Mocha” Uson and blogger Drew Olivar for making fun of sign language in their latest video.
The controversial video showed Olivar mimicking sign language and making sounds in an apparent imitation of the hearing-impaired while Uson can be heard laughing in the background.
Much of Binay’s criticism was directed at Uson, whom she advised to “refrain from mocking the people she serves.”
Uson shared the video to her 5.7 million Facebook followers last Thursday.
“Hindi nakakatuwa ang huling video ni Asec. Mocha Uson at Drew Olivar,” Binay said in a statement. “It is disrespectful to the sizeable deaf/mute community who already struggle in airing their concerns and aspirations.”
“Such discriminatory actions set back our efforts to make our society more inclusive by providing a more conducive environment for deaf Filipinos to exercise their right to expression without prejudice,” she added.
Binay, who authored a bill recognizing the Filipino Sign Language as an official medium of communication, said such action of Uson and Olivar violate the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons.
“As a public official, it is paramount that [Uson] refrain from mocking the people she serves,” Binay said. “Sign language should never be made an amusement piece.”
Uson and Olivar previously drew flak for another video on the “pepedederalismo” jingle that supposed aimed at raising awareness on the proposal to shift to a federal government./PN
