Lawmaker hits back at Bato following insult

MANILA, Philippines —  A party-list representative threatened with a punch in the face by Sen. Ronald dela Rosa for criticizing Vice President Sara Duterte has dared the senator to be aggressive instead in tackling China’s bullying in the West Philippine Sea or in facing possible criminal charges before an international court.

Akbayan Party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña called out Dela Rosa yesterday for threatening to physically harm him just because he lashed out at Duterte for not taking seriously her impeachment by the House of Representatives.

Cendaña, a first-term representative running as the second nominee of Akbayan in the May 12 elections, told reporters on Friday that Duterte appeared to be trivializing her impeachment by joking that getting dumped by a lover is worse. “It is more hurtful to get dumped by your boyfriend or girlfriend than to be impeached by the House of Representatives,” Duterte said at a press conference on Friday.

“I want to tell VP Sara, ‘Sister, this is not about romance, this is about public accountability and responsibility,’” Cendaña said in Filipino.

Dela Rosa, a known Duterte ally aiming for reelection, commented on a Facebook post that he would “knock up” Cendaña’s face.

“One side of your face was punched by an unknown entity, that’s why it’s imbalanced,” Dela Rosa said in Bisaya, referring apparently to part of Cendana’s face that droops. “Come to me and I will knock up the other side of your face to make it balanced.”

The Akbayan representative took Dela Rosa’s insults in stride.

“I will be punched by a senator?” Cendaña posted on X in Filipino. “Brother is so ‘courageous.’ I hope he is also brave enough to stand up against China in the West Philippine Sea or face the International Criminal Court.” Cendaña said the droop on his face was a result of a stroke years ago.

Condemnation

Dela Rosa’s remarks drew condemnation from the Epilepsy Awareness Philippines (EAP), a non-government health and medical group, which demanded an apology from the senator.

“Senator Bato Dela Rosa’s attack on Akbayan Rep. Perci Cendaña is not just cruel, it is an insult to the dignity of persons with health conditions,” the EAP said.

“Had he taken even a moment to do his research, he would have known that Rep. Perci is a stroke survivor,” the group said.

The EAP said Dela Rosa’s “appalling remarks” reinforced harmful stereotypes and deepen the discrimination that people with various health concerns endure every day.

“Advocates have long fought for a society built on inclusivity, respect and equal rights, yet Dela Rosa’s actions undermine this progress by reducing a health condition to a mere punchline,” the EAP said.

The EAP said the Senate leadership must hold Dela Rosa accountable for his lack of respect for people with medical condition

“We call on the Senate and its members to hold Dela Rosa accountable. Our lawmakers must champion, not ridicule, the rights and dignity of all Filipinos – especially those living with disabilities,” the EAP said.

“More than that, Dela Rosa must issue an immediate and unequivocal public apology. His words were not just offensive, they were demeaning and harmful. If he has even a shred of decency, he must take full responsibility, apologize directly to Rep. Perci and the broader disability community and commit to learning from his mistake,” the EAP said. - Jose Rodel Clapano