PWDs rally for worker who complained against Quisumbing
Officials of the different organizations of persons with disabilities (PWDs) held a prayer rally at 10 a.m. yesterday calling to stop discrimination and oppression of their members.
Joseph Jomantoc, president of Federation of Persons with Disability, along with other federation presidents of the barangays in Mandaue City, united to address the discrimination and oppression of fellow PWD Michael Pielago.
Pielago filed a case against Mandaue City Mayor Gabriel Luis Quisumbing after he was reassigned to the Housing and Urban Development Office from Hope for Mandaue, a facility for children in conflict with the law, located in Basak, Mandaue City.
Pielago, who uses crutches to move around, said it is hard for him to report to HUDO because the office is located at the second floor of the Mandaue City Hall annex building.
Jomantoc said they were hurt by the bashing and bullying Pielago got on social media and on TV. Jomantoc said that the attacks Pielago recieved in social media is a violation of the RA 7277 Magna Carta for Disabled Persons.
Jomantoc said that through Pielago’s plea, the majority of the federation banded together to address the issue through a manifesto which was drafted during a meeting last Saturday when Pielago sent a letter regarding his situation.
Marlon Otuel, Public Relations Office of the federation, read the manifesto which stated that because of the bullying incidents that happened after Pielago filed the case that circulated through various platforms, both government and private sectors should respect the rights of the PWDs.
They also urged to stop the discrimination since PWDs are protected under the Magna Carta for Persons with Disability.
The manifesto also stated that Pielago has a right to file a case and get fair trial.
The manifesto also stated that PWDs should be respected as a person. Jomantoc said the protest was not only for the PWDs of Mandaue City but for the whole country as well.
He clarified they are not involved in the case that Pielago filed but they are supporting him against bullying. —