MANILA — Executives of FTTM Media Concepts Advertising Opc. (FTTM) have filed a joint counter-affidavit after facing a complaint for allegedly making fun of a person with disability (PWD) through a social media “meme post.”

The complainant claimed the act amounted to cyberlibel, unjust vexation under the Revised Penal Code in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, and violation of PWD rights under the Magna Carta on Persons with Disabilities or R.A. 7277 in relation to R.A. 9442.

The August 4 post in question, captioned “LEAKED GTA VI Caloocan City,” was described by FTTM as a satirical parody combining the GTA VI branding with a third-party image of an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) on a public road — an act prohibited under LTO Memorandum Circular No. RIB-2007-799. The company said the unreleased video game reference was meant to highlight the absurdity of the scene and was aimed at the traffic violation and setting, not at any individual.

FTTM argued the content contained no direct or implied reference to any person’s disability, was created without malicious intent, and did not identify or target the complainant. The firm also noted that the case runs counter to its advocacy of upholding PWD rights, citing several prior pro-PWD posts.

Asserting that the expression was constitutionally protected social commentary on matters of public concern, FTTM warned that penalizing satire based on misinterpretation could have a chilling effect on free speech and discourage legitimate online commentary.

Soledad and Associates Law Office, representing FTTM and its executives Mark Nicole Anicas, Ma. Erika Antuerfia, and Lawrence Jane Grafane, said they would pursue all legal remedies to defend their clients’ rights and freedoms of the press and expression.