KABATAAN Partylist second nominee Jose Paolo Echavez denounced Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa’s recent appeal for Visayan unity in the upcoming elections, arguing that the senator does not represent the true values of Visayans.

Echavez, a Cebuano youth leader, criticized Dela Rosa’s statement at the Philippine Councilors League Region VII assembly on March 1 at Bai Hotel in Mandaue City.

Dela Rosa had urged Visayans to support fellow Bisaya candidates in the 2025 elections.

“Di mi ganahan og mga Bisaya, mga Bisayang magpatay og tao," Echavez said.

"Di mi gusto na makadaog ang Bisaya nga tigpatay og tao, kawatan, ug korap na politiko. Nagsige mog panghambog sa inyong gihimo na drug war nga perting daghanang inosenteng napatay. Mas angay ikaulaw sa mga Bisaya ang imong kawalay respeto sa balaod. Wala ka nagrepresenta sa mga Bisaya," he added.

Echavez also accused Dela Rosa of defending former President Rodrigo Duterte’s remarks about killing senators.

He questioned whether Visayans truly wanted just and lasting peace, arguing that Bato only added to the country's turmoil.

He criticized Bato for mocking a stroke survivor and defending Duterte’s statement about killing senators.

Appeals for Bisaya votes

Dela Rosa, who traces his roots to Antequera, Bohol, called on Visayans to support candidates from their region, emphasizing the need for Bisaya representation in the Senate.

“Gusto n’yo ba na walang Bisaya doon sa Senado? Gusto niyo ba na walang manalong Bisaya?” he asked during his speech.

He also urged local leaders to help curb the country’s drug problem by focusing on prevention efforts.

Dela Rosa, a former Philippine National Police chief, played a major role in Duterte’s controversial drug war, which critics blamed for widespread human rights abuses and extrajudicial killings.(MyTVCebu)

• Tags
• #Jose Paolo Echavez
• #Kabataan Partylist
• #Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa
• #Visayan Unity
• #Philippine Councilors League