Senator Bato dela Rosa, the ever-reliable defender of discipline and decorum (when convenient), has once again graced us with his brand of leadership—this time, by mocking someone’s post-stroke condition.

Perhaps he mistook a medical reality for a punchline, or maybe the years of dodging accountability have dulled his sense of basic decency. Either way, his remarks against Akbayan Representative Perci Cendana weren’t just a cheap shot at one person but an insult to every stroke survivor who has fought to regain dignity and normalcy.

An apology isn’t just warranted—it’s the bare minimum. Senator Bato, with all his tough-guy rhetoric, should find it in himself to do what real men do: own up to his mistake. Unless, of course, he believes that cruelty is a mark of strength. If so, maybe he should spend less time making jokes and more time reflecting on why the joke is now on him.