Pasig City Hall. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA (UPDATE) — Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian disclosed Thursday that there was a "systematic" identification and exploitation of vulnerable individuals in Pasig City for a suspected smear campaign targeting the incumbent mayor.

PWD in smear campaign video vs Vico Sotto 'coerced' — DSWD

Gatchalian disclosed on ANC's Headstart their initial findings on the case of a mentally-challenged person allegedly forced to criticize Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto over his alleged lack of projects for persons with disabilities (PWDs).

"We can absolutely tell you that there was coercion, or the victim was coerced to make disparaging statements against her will," Gatchalian said.

In a now-viral video uploaded on Facebook, "Mary" — a 57-year old woman who has been diagnosed with psychological disability — said that she will no longer vote for Sotto as she has yet to receive any aid from the incumbent mayor.

The PWD's niece, Maliah, cried foul, saying that her aunt simply went to get free rice from a candidate in a neighboring barangay, but was told that she needed to record a video before she could leave.

'SYSTEMATIC'

According to the Gatchalian, they have received reports that there were other vulnerable individuals approached to make similar videos against Sotto.

"It's a systematic storyline, they are pulling out people, hinihila nila yung tao sa line, tinitingnan nila yung profile, they were literally profiling and looking for vulnerable, marginalized, and poor individuals to speak out against a particular candidate, in this case the incumbent mayor," he said.

DSWD to investigate alleged use of PWD in smear campaigns, politicking in Pasig

“It was being done systematically," Gatchalian added.

Based on DSWD's findings, they have already identified where video of the PWD supposedly used for the smear campaign was taken.

"We also know where the video took place. it's in a St. Gerrard Construction, which i believe is somehow related to a candidate running in Pasig," Gatchalian said.

The company is owned by Discaya family, whose matriarch Sarah is challenging Sotto in the mayoralty race.

COMPLAINTS EYED

The DSWD is eyeing to hold the operators of the alleged smear campaign accountable for violation of Special Protection Children against Abuse Act and Magna Carta for People with Disability.

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Gatchalian said the case may qualify as "child abuse" because "people with mental disabilities who cannot take full responsibility for themselves are treated as minors."

"The victim is distraught, she's anxious, going all through this mental traumatic episode because she didn't want what happened to her, and now she's being subjected to ridicule by her neighbors," Gatchalian said.

The DSWD said they are staying out of the political side of the issue and will let the Commission on Elections (Comelec) handle the possible filing of electoral case.

SOTTO, ST. GERRARD REACT

Following DSWD's initial findings, Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto said those behind the act “won’t be able to evade accountability forever.” 

“When you take advantage of the poor and the weak, when you enrich yourself at the expense of the people through fraud and collusion, when you lie and deceive to protect selfish interests, it will eventually come back to haunt you – if not today, then tomorrow,” Sotto said on his Facebook page.

The mayor said he was making the post not as a candidate but as a local official alarmed by the situation that exploits members of the vulnerable sector.

“May mga tao na handang gawin ang lahat para lang sa pera at kapangyarihan,” he said.

CHR to mount separate probe on PWD allegedly used for smear campaign

In a text message to ABS-CBN News, Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya II, St. Gerrard Construction’s chief executive officer, denied any involvement with the viral video.

“Hindi po sa amin na vloggers yung kumaha ng video po at wala po kami kinalaman sa action po ng vloggers sariling post po nya yun,” he said.

Earlier today, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) told ABS-CBN News it was set to mount a separate investigation into the viral video. 

CHR Commissioner Beda Epres said the 57-year-old victim was “not in full possession of her mental faculties.”

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