SOCIAL Welfare and Development Secretary Rexlon Gatchalian has ordered agency officials to team up with Antipolo City's local government unit (LGU) in filing criminal charges against a group of men who mocked a senior citizen with a disability, as seen in a viral video.

"We will work with the Antipolo City LGU 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)," Gatchalian said on Saturday.

"This is a very cruel act, and those responsible should be charged in court," he added.

To ensure the elderly woman receives necessary support, Gatchalian has instructed Assistant Secretary Irene Dumlao to send a Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) team to assist the victim, an elderly woman with a disability who was ridiculed by four men in Antipolo City, Rizal.

A viral video shows a man lifting an elderly woman using his knees, as onlookers laugh and mock her, sparking public condemnation.

DSWD social workers handed over P10,000 in cash relief assistance to the elderly woman's family to cover medical needs and support in filing complaints, and will also provide psychosocial services.

Dumlao said individuals behind the mockery of the senior person with disability can be held liable under Republic Act (RA) 9442, which amends RA 7277, or the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons, and imposes penalties for such acts of ridicule and vilification.

"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," Dumlao said.

Under RA 9442, ridiculing or vilifying persons with disabilities, whether verbally or nonverbally, is strictly prohibited and punishable by a fine of at least P50,000 and/or imprisonment of at least six months for the first offense.

Repeat offenders face stiffer penalties, including a fine of between P100,000 and P200,000, imprisonment of two to six years or both, at the court's discretion.

Avoid mocking the poor

Addressing local candidates for the May 12 elections, Gatchalian made an appeal on Friday to keep their campaigns respectful and dignified, avoiding jokes or remarks that mock the poor, vulnerable and marginalized sectors.

"Let's not underestimate the voters ... they may laugh, but who says they will vote for you," Gatchalian said.

"Keep them engaged by telling them what you will do for them rather than making them the punch line of your jokes," he added.

Gatchalian emphasized that solo parents, ridiculed by a local candidate in a now-viral video, deserve admiration and respect for their remarkable resilience and determination to support their families against various challenges.

"They raise their kids alone through immense sacrifice, and it's utterly unacceptable to mock or marginalize them," Gatchalian said.

"I've been to barangay-based caucuses where engaging voters is tough, especially in the sweltering heat, but using vulnerable, poor and marginalized sectors as 'punch lines' is never the right approach," he added.

Gatchalian expects that the local campaign discourse will be elevated in the remaining weeks, focusing on substantial issues rather than personal attacks or insensitive humor.

"To truly engage with the crowd, we must explain how we can improve their lives, rather than degrading or making jokes about the poor, marginalized and vulnerable," Gatchalian said.