MANILA — Online users are pressing actor and political figure Phillip Salvador to step forward and publicly defend his son, Josh Aquino, following intense public outcry over derogatory remarks made against him on a podcast.
The backlash erupted after excerpts from an October 5 episode of the now-deleted Machong Chismisan podcast, titled “Ang Pagbabalik ni Kris Aquino,” circulated widely across social media platforms. The program drew fierce condemnation from netizens, celebrities, disability advocates, and government officials for comments targeting Josh, the eldest son of media personality Kris Aquino and Salvador, who is on the autism spectrum.
During the controversial episode, a host unfavorably compared Josh to his younger brother, Bimby Aquino, while making offensive remarks regarding Josh’s disability and a reported daily allowance.
As condemnation mounted, online users heavily criticized Salvador for his lack of public comment, noting that other public figures and celebrities had already rallied behind his son.
“Everybody is standing up for Josh Aquino except the Father,” a netizen wrote on a social media post.
Another user echoed the sentiment, questioning the actor’s lack of intervention:
“What now Philip, you’re so quiet. Other people go out of their way to defend Josh.”
Podcast Fallout and Public Condemnation
In response to the uproar, the podcast management removed the offending episode, and the hosts issued public apologies. Furthermore, production network The Pod Network announced the immediate termination of its contract with the Machong Chismisan team.
A wave of high-profile personalities quickly came to Josh’s defense, including television host Boy Abunda, designer Michael Leyva, actor Dingdong Dantes, and former Batangas Vice Governor Mark Leviste.
Leviste, who shares a close personal bond with Josh, expressed profound outrage and stressed that the young man deserves complete protection from public humiliation.
“I love Josh like my own son,” Leviste stated, describing him as kind, sweet, prayerful, and loving while demanding true accountability beyond mere apologies.
Abunda similarly condemned the program’s cruel comparisons and belittlement of Josh’s capabilities.
Additionally, the Autism Society Philippines strongly denounced the remarks, reminding the public that disability should never be exploited as a tool for comedy or humiliation. Legal experts note that such acts may run afoul of Republic Act No. 9442, which penalizes public ridicule and vilification of PWDs, depending on formal investigations by authorities.