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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Cendaña draws the line on offensive caricature; mulls legal action vs netizens behind it

Cendaña draws the line on offensive caricature; mulls legal action vs netizens behind it

Published Aug 20, 2026 04:53 pm

At A Glance

  • Rep. Perci Cendaña warns of legal action, saying he is consulting lawyers after online attacks mocked his physical condition through a dehumanizing drawing.
  • He stresses limits to criticism, affirming he accepts legitimate scrutiny but rejects harassment, humiliation, and discrimination, especially targeting his medical condition as a stroke survivor.
  • Cendaña frames the issue as broader advocacy, declaring he speaks out not only for himself but for all Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) subjected to degrading and dehumanizing attacks.
Akbayan Party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña and the offensive caricature (Facebook)
Akbayan Party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña and the offensive caricature (Facebook)


Akbayan Party-list Rep. Perci Cendaña said he was looking at possible legal action against the individuals behind the recent online attacks that poked fun at his physical condition.
Cendeña made this revelation in an emotionally-charged Facebook post wherein he slammed the "dehumanizing" drawing of his likeness from the page Richard Art.
"This serves as a warning to all online pages, influencers, and individuals who have published or amplified these materials. I am consulting with our lawyers on the appropriate legal action that may be taken against those responsible," he wrote.
"I will continue to welcome legitimate criticism and public scrutiny. But attacks that cross into harassment, humiliation, and discrimination will be dealt with accordingly. I will not remain silent," added "Mader Perci".
Incidentally, Cendaña is a pro-impeachment solon, being an endorser of one of the four impeachment complaints filed against Vice President Sara Duterte this year. Duterte is currently under trial by the Senate impeachment court.
"Bilang isang stroke survivor, hindi ko palalampasin ang ganitong pambabastos (As a stroke survivor, I will not let this kind of disrespect pass)," the House deputy minority leader said of the offensive drawing.
"I do this not just for myself but for all stroke survivors and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) who are subjected to similarly demeaning, degrading and dehumanizing language and attacks," he said.
In his post, Cendaña said that he was no stranger to insults and personal attacks. "Hindi na ito bago (This is nothing new)."
"Bilang public official, bahagi ng trabaho ang pagiging subject sa public scrutiny and criticism. Hindi rin dapat maging balat-sibuyas ang isang public official. Gaya nga ng kasabihan, 'If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen.'"
(Facebook)
(Facebook)
(As a public official, being subject to public scrutiny and criticism is part of the job. A public official should not be thin-skinned. As the saying goes, 'If you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen.'
"Pero may hangganan ang lahat (But everything has its limits)," reckoned the Akbayan lawmaker.
'Troubling'
He says he finds it "troubling" that the attacks have begun to focus on his medical condition.
"Mas nakababahala, ginagamit na nila ang aking medical condition upang ako ay ipahiya at gawing katatawanan. Ang kapansanan ay hindi katatawanan. Hindi ito dapat gawing sandata upang laitin, hiyain, o i-dehumanize ang isang tao," he said.
(More troubling, they have begun using my medical condition to shame me and make me a laughingstock.Disability is not a joke. It should not be used as a weapon to insult, humiliate, or dehumanize a person.)
"Hindi tamang salaulain ang dignidad o halaga ng sinumang tao, may kapansan man o wala," Cendaña further said.
(It is not right to degrade the dignity or worth of anyone, whether they have a disability or not.)

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Akbayan Party-list Perci Cendaña stroke Caricature
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