Sonia Roco, the widow of former Senator Raul Roco, first ran and lost in the 2007 senatorial race.
“Para naman silang mga autistic … may sariling mundo.”
This is what senatorial candidate Sonia Roco said in a TV interview in 2007, as she commented on Team Unity’s reaction to poll surveys on the Senate race. She followed her statement with a hearty laugh.It wasn’t funny and I couldn’t find the humor. She said this in 2007 and I still couldn’t let it go.
Yes she apologized but only because some sectors called her out. Had she been not called out because of it I doubt it if she’ll apologize. I’m disappointed because she is an educator.
I was angry by her statement, given in the context it was said. I read her apology and to be honest there is no sincerity on Sonia Roco’s apology for her remark on autism. She said she would work for the cause of autism — if elected. Since she wasn’t elected, I doubt that the she made any commitment to the cause of autism. If she did well I want to see it. As it is Roco’s apology was conditional. A sincere apology knows no condition.
We tend to use analogies when we want to express something. Sometimes it can be careless and can hurt some people who hear it. We all know what Mrs. Roco meant when she said that, but she could’ve left out that part alluding to the autism. This happened in 2007 and she lost because of it and I know that she’ll still lose this election because of that faux pax.
It’s not enough that she’s a widow that has been pushed into the limelight with her bid for the Senate to continue her husbands legacy. She’s no Cory Aquino if I may say so myself. She should have chosen her words carefully. It’s also something that all the candidates should take into consideration. I’m not saying that they should twist the truth, but rather present it without having to offend anyone.
[This is not a hate post. This is not meant to demean someone or put someone down. This is a post of a mother who wants to remind the candidates of the coming election. Be careful and think about what you say because it might really hurt you in the end. - Leirs]