Yyann Liann Miguel Barcelona Ong | September 24, 2018
MANILA, PHILIPPINES- Asec. Margaux “Mocha” Uson once again put herself into the spotlight as she uploaded a video that went viral on social media with blogger, Drew Olivar wherein they are mimicking the use of sign language for satiric purposes.
In a statement released by the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), what Uson and Olivar did was an absolute insult to the Filipino Deaf Community, they said that the video was “appalling and unacceptable especially that it involves a government official and a blogger affiliated to a government office” because according to them, using the sign language, which is intended for deaf people, should never been utilized as a joke especially on the generation today where social media have the most influence on the audience.
As a public servant and a blogger, Ms. Uson should be responsible for her actions on social media. The behavior she exhibited, as seen on the video, is not a behavior expected from a public servant. It is justifiable for the Filipino Deaf Community to file a case against Uson and Olivar for them to be held liable on their actions. The Filipino Deaf Community believes that Uson and Olivar’s actions were offensive, that is why Carolyn Dagani, the President of the Philippine Federation of the Deaf, filed a criminal complaint against them at the Office of the Ombudsman. In an interview, Dagani said with the help of an interpreter that “Uson should resign”. She also added that “Mocha Uson and Drew Olivar were laughing and making fun of us. Together, they stepped all over us and crushed us, killing our dignity. If only, they realized what a rich visual language our Filipino sign language is.”
There was a public uproar on the scandalising act of Uson and Olivar. They posted a video afterwards, wherein they are apologizing to the deaf community for their actions. Uson said on the video “I take full responsibility sa ginawa ng aking radio show partner at kaibigan”. Dagani, who represents the deaf community, said that they will not accept their apology and would still file a case against them. The decision of the Filipino Deaf Community to pursue the case on awaits judicial proceedings that may favor their clamor for justice; this issue must serve as a consequential lesson for Uson and Olivar’s mockery of the marginalized deaf.
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