Machong Chismisan co-host Tito P, who made the distasteful remarks about Josh Aquino, attributed his comments to his ADHD while apologizing after The Pod Network terminated the show’s contract, saying he struggles to filter his thoughts before speaking.
In his Oct. 14 statement, Tito P, also known as Tito Patrioto, acknowledged that his remarks describing Josh as “walang kuwenta” hurt people on the autism spectrum and their families. Josh, Kris Aquino’s eldest son, is on the spectrum. Tito P said he had been diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.
“As someone with ADHD, impulse control can make filtering thoughts difficult,” he wrote.
“I share this not to excuse my behavior, but to provide context.”
Beyond its crude humor, the now‑defunct podcast has earned notoriety for the hosts’ weak takes on media and politics. Tito P said jokes can sometimes come out before he considers their social consequences. He denied intending to cause harm but acknowledged that public criticism made him realize the impact of his remarks.
The issue began after a clip from the podcast’s Oct. 5 episode, “Ang Pagbabalik ni Kris Aquino,” circulated online. During a discussion about Kris and her family, Tito P compared Josh with his younger brother, Bimby.
“Si Bimby, sobrang okay na anak. Si Josh, walang kuwenta eh,” he said.
Guest RJ Carbonell then mentioned a claim that Josh received a ₱3,000 daily school allowance, prompting another disparaging remark from Tito P. Other participants laughed, while co-host Lawrence Vivar described the comments as a low blow during the recording.
The Autism Society Philippines condemned the discussion and called on the podcast’s management, online platforms and government authorities to take action. Boy Abunda said he would advise Kris to consider legal action, while designer Michael Leyva publicly defended Josh.
Machong Chismisan removed the episode and stopped promoting clips from it. A statement signed by host Makoy Pare apologized to the persons with disabilities community and those mentioned in the episode, while promising stricter review of future episodes. Vivar separately apologized for his laughter and participation.
On Oct. 15, The Pod Network announced that it had formally terminated the podcast’s contract and removed the show from its network, effective immediately.
