Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa on Sunday, February 9 apologized to Akbayan Representative Perci Cendaña over his offensive remarks, admitting that he “failed to see the bigger picture.”

Dela Rosa is facing backlash after he mocked the facial appearance of the Cendaña—a stroke survivor—when the latter criticized Vice President Sara Duterte for making light of the impeachment complaints against her. 

Duterte, last Friday, held a press conference belittling the impeachment bid against her, saying it “is more painful being dumped by a boyfriend or a girlfriend than to be impeached by the House of Representatives.”

Cendaña issued a statement saying: “I want to tell VP Sara: ‘Sister, this is not about having a lover, but about public accountability and liability.”

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

The remark drew the ire of a group of health and medical advocates; Cendaña himself, mockingly praised Dela Rosa for being so brave.

“I hope you’re just as brave against China and in facing the ICC (International Criminal Court),” Cendaña said.

Hours after drawing flak, Dela Rosa issued an apology which was posted on his social media account.

“The past few days have weighed heavily on Filipinos, especially sa aming mga (to us) Mindanaoans at ibang (and some) Cebuano speaking people,” Dela Rosa said in his Facebook post.

“Maraming nagalit, at dahil sa nag-empathize ako sa galit nila, nakapagbitiw ako ng mga salitang hindi maganda at nakapanakit ng damdamin ng iba (Many people were angry, and because I empathized with their anger, I was able to say words that were not nice and hurt the feelings of others),” the former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief further said.

“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.

“I make no excuses and I take full responsibility for the hurt my words have caused,” the senator added. 

In a statement, the 31 physicians and advocates that form part of the Epilepsy Awareness Philippines condemned Dela Rosa’s attack against the House lawmaker, saying it was not “just cruel” but also “an insult to the dignity of persons with health conditions.”

“His (Dela Rosa’s) appalling remarks reinforce harmful stereotypes and deepen the discrimination that people with various health concerns endure every day,” the group said.

“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,” they further stated.