Bato apologizes for mocking stroke survivor Cendaña's physical appearance

Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa on Sunday apologized for mocking the physical appearance of Akbayan Partylist Representative Percival Cendaña, a stroke survivor.

In a social media post, Dela Rosa, a known ally of Duterte, apologized to Cendaña after facing heavy criticism from various health and medical advocates for his offensive remarks about the lawmaker’s health condition.

“The past few days have weighed heavily on Filipinos, especially on us Mindanaoans and other Cebuano-speaking people. Many people got angry, and because I empathized with their anger, I ended up saying words that were not good and hurt the feelings of others,” he said in mixed Filipino and English.

“I apologize for what I said and did, particularly in failing to see the bigger picture. My apologies to Congressman Perci Cendaña for my offensive comments on his person. I wish him good health,” he added.

He continued: “I make no excuses and I take full responsibility for the hurt my words have caused.”

On Saturday, Dela Rosa aired his tirades towards Cendaña, a staunch critic of Vice President Sara Duterte within the House of Representatives, which included a threatening statement.

“Your face looks as though it has been punched, that’s why it’s skewed,” Dela Rosa said in Bisaya. “Come here so I can punch the other side of your face and make it balanced.”

Dela Rosa’s remarks stemmed from Cendaña’s comments on Duterte’s apparent light response to the lower chamber’s decision to impeach her.

“I want to tell VP Sara, ‘sister, this is not a discussion of relationships, it is about public accountability,” Cendaña said in Filipino.

Cendaña endorsed the first impeachment complaint filed by civil society organizations against Duterte before the House of Representatives Office.

A total of 215 lawmakers, or more than two-thirds of the House of Representatives members, supported the resolution to impeach Duterte.

Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero earlier said that the Senate would act on the impeachment complaints against Duterte once the session resumes on 2 June, or after the May elections.

Seven incumbent senators are seeking reelection in the May polls. Three of them, including Dela Rosa, are known allies of the Dutertes in the chamber.