FILE PHOTO: Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa. Senate PRIB
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa apologized to Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda on Thursday for his leftist remark.
Dela Rosa made the statement during the Senate plenary’s discussion on the budget of the Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino, which he criticized for producing alleged subversive books.
Dela Rosa inquired: “Naintindihan ko, si Madam Loren is on the left of the spectrum. Ay, saan ka pala, sa gitna?
(I understand Madam Loren is on the left of the spectrum. Oh, where are you, in the middle?)
“Ma-left ka o ma-right, wala akong problema. Center? O wala akong problema.”
(Whether you are left or right, I do not have a problem. Center? No problem.)
Legarda’s response was not heard.
Later on in the session, dela Rosa extended his apologies to the lady senator.
“I would like to move that my statement a while ago stating that our colleague, Senator Loren Legarda, is the left of center be stricken out from records.
“I apologize to my colleague. I just wanted to make that example na dito sa Senado, whether sa kaliwa ka o sa kanan, walang problema ‘yan basta nagkakaisa tayo,” he said.
(I apologize to my colleague. I just wanted to make an example that here in the Senate, whether you are on the left or right of the spectrum, there is no problem as long as we unite.)
Dela Rosa pointed out that he just wants supposed subversive books to not reach the hands of children as it is “counterproductive.”
To recall, Legarda has been pushing for a review of the Anti-Terrorism Law of 2020.
Legarda, a former journalist, has also earlier shared that she has worked with the National Democratic Front in the past in her line of work.
READ: Legarda: I worked with the left; nothing wrong with that
She said that communist groups only aim for social justice.