Dela Rosa sorry after insulting stroke survivor Cendaña

Metro Manila, Philippines - Sen. Ronald dela Rosa issued a public apology on Sunday, Feb. 9, after insulting the appearance of Akbayan party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña, who is a stroke survivor.

Dela Rosa was under fire for threatening to punch Cendaña’s face to make it “symmetrical,” as a part of it apparently droops from being punched by “di natin alam (we don’t know what).”

“The past few days have weighed heavily on Filipinos, especially sa aming mga Mindanaoans at ibang Cebuano speaking people,” the senator said on Facebook on Sunday. “Maraming nagalit, at dahil sa nag-empathize ako sa galit nila, nakapagbitiw ako ng mga salitang hindi maganda at nakapanakit ng damdamin ng iba.”

[Translation: The past few days have weighed heavily on Filipinos, especially to us in Mindanao and other Cebuano speaking people. Many got angry, and because I empathized with their anger, I said words that were not good and hurt the feelings of others.]

Dela Rosa made his controversial comment on a social media post regarding Cendaña’s reaction to one of Vice President Sara Duterte’s remarks on Friday about her impeachment.

WATCH: Duterte shares a message ahead of Valentine's Day, linking it to her impeachment 

Cendaña was the first House member to endorse an impeachment complaint against Duterte.

Dela Rosa, a Duterte ally, apologized to the party-list lawmaker for his “offensive comments on his person.” He also said that he was sorry for his words and actions, “particularly in failing to see the bigger picture.”

“I wish him good health. I make no excuses and I take full responsibility for the hurt my words have caused,” the senator said.

Health and medical advocates, including the organization Epilepsy Awareness Philippines, had urged Dela Rosa to issue a public apology as his words “were not just offensive, they were demeaning and harmful.”

“Our lawmakers must champion, not ridicule, the rights and dignity of all Filipinos—especially those living with disabilities,” read the joint statement, which was also posted by Cendaña.

In a statement, Cendaña “welcomed” the apology.

“Hindi tayo balat sibuyas, pero ibang usapan [I’m not onion-skinned but it’s a different issue] when a public servant of such high position uses his voice to threaten people with violence and discriminate people with health concerns,” the Akbayan representative said.

“Nawa’y magsilbi itong mahalagang aral, na ang tunay na lider ay hindi lamang may kapangyarihan kundi may malasakit, to keep our political discourse rational and humane, at ang panawagan ng pananagutan ay hindi personal na atake kanino man kundi responsibilidad ng lahat ng mamamayan,” he added.

[Translation: I hope this will serve as an important lesson that a true leader does not only have power but also compassion, to keep our political discourse rational and humane, and that the call for accountability is not a personal attack on anyone but a responsibility of all.]

Cedaña did not mince words on Saturday, telling Dela Rosa that his “courage” to punch him should be the same in resisting China in the West Philippine Sea, as well as facing the International Criminal Court’s drug war investigation.

Duterte’s impeachment got the support of 215 House members, including 41 out of 60 Mindanao lawmakers, exceeding the required one-third signatures of representatives for the case to be automatically transmitted to the Senate for trial.

Senate President Chiz Escudero explained the impeachment trial of Duterte will possibly begin in June and be resolved by the next Congress. 

In her first appearance to the media after being impeached, Duterte said she will skip the proceedings if she has the option to do so.