Press Release
May 31, 2018

Dispatch from Crame No. 316:
Sen. Leila M. de Lima's statement on a recent Discrimination Incident involving a deaf couple

5/31/18

I learned recently about the discrimination suffered by a deaf couple when a security guard denied them entry to a mall, and then mocked and cussed them. This is really appalling. Prejudice against persons with disabilities (PWDs) is both a public and personal concern to me, having a son and grandson who have their own affliction to deal with.

The store management already apologized when the couple filed a complaint but the incident remains a painful reminder to all of us that as a society, we have not yet developed a tolerant and inclusive culture where everyone, regardless of their physical and mental state would feel welcome and safe.

Nakakalungkot po na sa kabila ng mga polisiya at mga programang pinagtibay upang maunawaan natin ang kalagayan ng mga may kapansanan ay nangyayari pa rin ang ganitong mga insidente.

Several years back, a similar incident happened at NAIA where Frank Corpuz, also deaf, was not allowed to board a plane by an immigration official because he was "deaf and therefore could not speak." These unfortunate encounters are bound to be repeated again and again if the situation and concerns of PWDs are not addressed adequately and effectively.

Napag-uukulan po natin ng pansin ang mga PWDs kapag may mga napapaulat na ganitong mga pangyayari at kadalasan ang mga napapabalita ay yung mga may kakayahang lumaban; yung mga sabi nga ay "may sinasabi sa lipunan." Pero paano pa po kaya yung mga mahihirap na may kapansanan at tiyak na mas matindi ang nararanasang diskriminasyon? Malamang, madalas ay nananahimik na lang.

The Magna Carta for PWDs (R.A. 7277) expressly prohibits discrimination in the use of public accommodations such as restaurants, theaters, and shopping centers. This law penalizes all forms of discrimination and ridicule done to PWDs but we cannot just keep on punishing violators. There are gaps and challenges that need to be dealt with pro-actively.

There is lack of proper information and people skills among front liners of organizations. When clerks, receptionists and security personnel are faced with PWDs, some of them do not have empathy and tact to deal with them properly, which in turn, makes the PWDs feel disenfranchised in society. I urge government and businesses to conduct awareness and education drives to properly orient them on how to deal with PWDs.

Bilang bagong hirang na pinuno ng Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development, sisikapin ko po, kasama ng lahat ng stakeholders na mag-isip at magtulak ng mga reporma at programa para sa mga karapatan ng mga PWDs at upang mabago rin ang pananaw at pagtrato ng ating mga kababayan sa mga may kapansanan.

Kung hindi po tayo matututong tratuhin ng tama ang mga may kapansanan, marahil itanong na natin sa ating mga sarili kung para saan pa na tinatawag natin ang ating sariling buo at "able-bodied". Able-bodied people take so much for granted. We are blessed and, in our callousness, we ourselves become impaired. Tayo na ang nagiging bulag, pipi at bingi sa karanasan at sitwasyon ng mga may kapansanan.

It is time to cure our own impairments as individuals and as a society.

Malaking hamon po ito sapagkat nasa ilalim tayo ngayon ng isang gobyernong hindi lamang walang paggalang kundi aktibong lumalabag at inaalipusta ang konsepto ng karapatang pantao. Tingnan na lang po natin ang ginagawang diskriminasyon ni Pangulong Duterte sa mga kababaihan na hindi raw dapat mamuno dahil madaling masindak at matatakutin.

How can we build a human rights culture wherein nobody is discriminated when the head of State himself encourages impunity, misogyny and sexism?

But despite this, let us be inspired by Robelyn and Emmanuel, the deaf couple victims of the discrimination incident related above. They were bullied and intimidated but they remained unfazed and stood up for their rights and dignity.

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