Stroke survivor and Akbayan party-list Rep. Percival Cendaña is itching for a fight, not with fists but with presentation of evidence in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

Speaking to TeleRadyo Serbisyo, Cendaña said he is setting aside Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa’s threat that he would punch the party-list lawmaker’s face by focusing on the real issue: the impeachment of the vice president.

Akbayan rep on ‘ngiwi’ comments on social media: I’m a stroke survivor

“Isantabi na natin tong isyu ng sapakan. Sapakan tayo ng totoong sapakan. Sapakan ng ebidensya dito sa pang-aabuso ni Vice President Sara Duterte sa kanyang posisyon through an impeachment trial,” he said.

Dela Rosa earlier came under fire for saying he would punch Cendaña’s skewed face so “it would be balanced” after the latter supported the impeachment of the vice president.

The senator later apologized after a group of medical and health advocates criticized him for insulting Cendaña, who is a stroke survivor. 

Dela Rosa sorry for mocking, saying he wants to hit Akbayan's Cendaña

In the interview, Cendaña said he accepted dela Rosa’s apology due to inter-parliamentary courtesy but noted the senator should also apologize to other stroke survivors who were hurt by his harsh words.

“Well hindi pa naman OK na OK. Marami pang unsettled issues tulad ng usapin ng accountability. Ito kasing ginawa ni Sen. Bato na magbigay ng masasakit na salita sa akin, nagsimula ito sa usapin ng impeachment. Siyempre, hindi pa tayo OK hanggang hindi pa pinapayagan ng Senado na magpatuloy yung trial sa impeachment at hindi hinaharang ng mga tao tulad ni Sen. Bato,” he said.

Cendaña revealed he suffered a stroke during the first day of the 2016 election campaign while he was working for the campaign of presidential candidate Mar Roxas and vice-presidential bet Leni Robredo. 

“Ako yung in-charge sa opening salvo at napabayaan natin yung sarili natin, na-stroke tayo at the end of the first day of the campaign noong 2016. Sa Iloilo ako inabutan ng stroke. After 3 months bago ako naka-recover, halos isang buwan sa ospital, more than a week sa ICU pero ‘yung talagang full mobility, mga isang taon,” he said.

Cendaña said the therapy was successful since his speech is not slurred and he has full use of his limbs, unlike other stroke survivors.

The lawmaker said he initially thought Dela Rosa’s threat was not true since he has been targeted by trolls after backing the  impeachment complaint against Mrs. Duterte. He urged Dela Rosa to follow a higher standard since he is a public official.

“Hindi naman tayo balat sibuyas pero kapag ginagamit ang kapangyarihan para mandahas, manakot, magbigay ng stigma, ibang usapan na iyon,” he said.

He dismissed criticisms from Duterte supporters who say his stroke was “karma” for attacking the Duterte family.

“Karma ko daw ‘yun dahil inaaway ko kung mga Duterte. Sabi nga ng nanay ko…’Anak, di ba 2016 ka na stroke at recently ka lang nag file ng impeachment? Ano ‘yun, free taste ang karma?’”

He also backed calls for the President to call for a special session to start the impeachment trial.

“Ang panawagan ko sa Presidente, do not stand in the way of accountability. Kailangang tiyakin na we hold public official accountable. Dun sa inaction niya, he’s standing in the way of accountability,” he said. 

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