Nancy Binay chides Mocha Uson, Drew Olivar for ‘mocking’ sign language

FILE: Communications Assistant Secretary Margaux “Mocha” Uson with blogger Drew Olivar (Photo: MOCHA USON BLOG/Facebook)

Communications Assistant Secretary Margaux “Mocha” Uson and blogger Andrew Olivar are now receiving backlash from Senator Nancy Binay for ‘mocking’ sign language in their latest controversial video.

In a Facebook live shared by Uson last Thursday, September 13 to her five million followers, the Palace official asked Olivar to imitate a hearing-impaired person to which Olivar obliged.

While the blogger can be seen doing gestures and making sounds like the deaf, Uson can be heard laughing in the background.

This behavior did not sit well with Binay who authored the Filipino Sign Language (FSL) bill which will give the Filipino deaf an official medium of instruction and communication.

“Hindi nakakatuwa ang huling video ni Asec. Mocha Uson at Drew Olivar (Asec. Mocha Uson and Drew Olivar’s recent video is not funny). It is disrespectful to the sizeable deaf/mute community who already struggle in airing their concerns and aspirations,” Binay said on Monday, September 17.

“I wish to remind Asec. Mocha that as a public official, it is paramount that she refrain from mocking the people she serves. And just so the others also become more aware, making fun of persons with disabilities is in violation of the Magna Carta for Disabled Persons,” she continued.

Under Republic Act (RA) 9442, any person is prohibited “from vilifying any person with disability which could result into loss of self-esteem of the latter.”

For a first-time violator, he or she will be fined at least P50,000 to 100,000 or imprisonment of six months to two years, or both at the discretion of the court.

For any subsequent violation, that person will be fined at least P100,000 to P200,000 or be imprisoned for two years to six years, or both depending on the court.

Binay told Uson and Olivar that by committing such ‘discriminatory’ actions, they “set back our efforts to make our society more inclusive.”

“Again, sign language should never be made an amusement piece,” the Senator said.

Sign language is not a joke

Apart from Binay, an advocate of the Deaf community in the country also slammed the Palace official and the blogger, saying that their video has ‘reminded’ her of those individuals who disrespected her with their ‘offensive’ gestures.’

“Our natural sign language is NOT A JOKE!!! It is a visual language of the Deaf people, the means of communication of the Deaf community around the world. It serves as [a] bridge between hearing advocates and deaf people,” Ma. Anaditha Maico Angcay said.

“How would you feel if others say bad words to you? Angry? Hurt? Disrespected? That is how we feel with your video, we felt disrespected… You work as [a] government official, right? What gives you the right to do this to us?” she added.

Angcay said she wanted the duo to understand how much deaf people feel disrespected over their video, because of all people, hearing-impaired individuals should feel “respected and protected” by those who are in the government.

Uson and Olivar had separately issued an apology to the deaf community for their actions.

“Humingi na po ng paumanhin si Andrew Olivar sa kaniyang pagsa-sign language na may pabiro. Gayunpaman, I take full responsibility sa ginawa ng aking radio show partner at kaibigan. Kaya po sa ating mga kapatid sa deaf community nawa’y tanggapin niyo po ang aking sorry. Please forgive me (Andrew Olivar has already apologized for his actions. Even so, I take full responsibility for what my radio show partner and friend did. So for our brothers and sisters in the deaf community, I hope you accept my apology. Please forgive me),” Uson said.

For his part, Olivar said, “Alam kong mali ako. Hindi ako magri-reason out (I know I’m wrong. I will not reason out). I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry po. Patawarin niyo po ako. Patawarin niyo po ako sa pagiging insensitive ko, sa pagiging childish ko (Please forgive me. Forgive me for being insensitive and childish).”

The Palace, meanwhile, refused to give a comment, saying that it will leave the matter up to Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar.

This is the second time the two were put in the hot waters after their controversial ‘ipederalismo’ video last August.