1 month ago
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Cecille Suerte Felipe - The Philippine Star
February 10, 2025 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — Reelectionist Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa yesterday apologized after facing backlash for his remark mocking the facial appearance of Akbayan party-list Rep. Percival Cendaña, a stroke survivor.
Dela Rosa wished Cendaña good health amid strong reactions from various sectors. The senator is a supporter of Vice President Sara Duterte while Cendaña endorsed the first impeachment complaint filed against Duterte on Dec. 2.
“The past few days have weighed heavily on Filipinos, especially on us Mindanaoans and other Cebuano-speaking people. Many were angered, and in my effort to empathize with their emotions, I uttered words that were inappropriate and hurtful,” Dela Rosa said in a statement.
He admitted his shortcomings in assessing the broader implications of his remarks. “I apologize for what I said and did, particularly for failing to see the bigger picture,” he added.
Dela Rosa also extended a direct apology to Cendaña, whom he had previously made offensive comments about.
“My apologies to Congressman Perci Cendaña for my offensive comments on his person. I wish him good health,” he stated.
The senator emphasized that he takes full responsibility for his words and the hurt they may have caused. “I make no excuses and I take full responsibility for the hurt my words have caused.”
Lawmaker accepts apology
Cendaña yesterday welcomed the apology of Dela Rosa but urged him to extend the same to stroke survivors offended by his remarks.
“I welcome Senator Bato’s apology. I hope he can also do the same to all stroke survivors who were hurt by his remarks,” Cendaña said.
“We are not overly sensitive, but it’s a different matter when a public servant of such high position uses his voice to threaten people with violence and discriminate against those with health concerns,” he added.
Cendaña expressed hope that the incident would serve as a lesson on responsible leadership and the need for a more humane and rational political discourse.
“This should serve as an important lesson – that true leadership is not just about power but also about compassion. We must keep our political discourse rational and humane. The call for accountability is not a personal attack on anyone but a shared responsibility of all citizens,” he said.
The exchange between Cendaña and Dela Rosa stemmed from a social media comment where the senator made a derogatory remark about Cendaña’s appearance, which is affected by a droop on his face due to a past stroke.
“One side of your face was punched by an unknown entity, that’s why it’s imbalanced,” Dela Rosa said in Bisaya in a Facebook comment. “Come to me, and I will knock up the other side of your face to make it balanced.”
Cendaña responded by challenging the senator to redirect his aggression toward China’s incursions in the West Philippine Sea or to face possible criminal charges before the International Criminal Court instead of threatening him. – Mark Ernest Villeza
