Press Release
July 25, 2018

Resist Duterte's push for Charter Change - De Lima

Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has urged the Filipino people to exert concerted efforts in resisting the Duterte administration's sinister move for Charter Change (Cha-Cha) that would pave the way for federalism and entrench him in power.

In her message read at the Purple Cross Movement Mass and Ecumenical Service last July 22, De Lima said the public should not allow Mr. Duterte and his minions to poison the minds of the masses by believing in his lies, deceits, and fake promises.

"Sa panahong ito ng mala-diktador na pamamahala at nagbabadyang pagpapahaba ng kanilang termino, patuloy tayong tumindig para sa demokrasya. Huwag nating hayaang takutin tayo ng rehimeng Duterte, at ilihis tayo sa walang katuturang mga pagmumura, kalaswaan at kasinungalingan," she said.

The event, held at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City ahead of Duterte's State of the Nation Address (SONA), was attended by church leaders and opposition figures who are fighting for democracy.

According to De Lima, turning a blind eye on the excesses and abuses perpetrated by the current regime is tantamount to supporting the oppressors like Duterte who tolerates violence and promotes impunity.

"Kaya lumalakas ang loob ng mga abusado at tiwali sa pamahalaan ay dahil marami ang pinipiling maging duwag at bulag sa mga panloloko ng mga pinuno. Tandaan natin: Ang pananahimik ay katumbas ng pagpanig sa mga mapang-api," she said.

Citing the cases of minors, priests, and media practitioners killed since Duterte assumed presidency, De Lima said, "Kung mananatili tayong manhid, ilang libo pang Tisoy Argoncillo, Kian Loyd delos Santos, at Skyler Abatayo ang papatayin nang walang kalaban-laban? Ilang Fr. Mark Ventura, Richmond Nilo at Marcelito Paez pa ang papaslangin? Ilang Joey Llana at kawani ng media pa ang patatahimikin?"

In the first two years in office of the present administration, De Lima said Mr. Duterte miserably failed to address the problems besetting the country, including poverty and unemployment, because he relies on taking shortcuts when facing issues.

"Ngayon, gusto ring daanin ng rehimeng Duterte sa shortcut ang pagpapalit ng Saligang Batas patungo sa Pederalismo. Pederalismo na hindi naman para sa Pilipino, kundi para sa mga politico," she said.

"Nagugutom na nga ang mga Pilipino sa patuloy na pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin, sa nakamamatay na pagsagasa ng TRAIN Law, sa di-matapos-tapos na Endo, sa tumaas pang unemployment rate, pero ang tugon pa nila: Gumastos ng bilyon-bilyong piso para isulong ang Cha-Cha tungo sa Pederalismo," she added.

According to the recent Pulse Asia and Social Weather Station surveys, majority of the Filipinos are not in favor of altering the Constitution. Surveys claimed that two in three Filipinos - or 67 percent - were against current moves to change the Constitution, while 62 percent were also not in favor of federalism, and only 28 percent were in favor.

As long as the Filipino people remain united in opposing Duterte's looming dictatorship, De Lima said no one--not even Duterte--can kill democracy.

"Gaya ng napatunayan na sa kasaysayan, walang diktador na nananatili sa kapangyarihan. Walang makadadaig sa lakas ng nagkakaisang sambayanan. Ituloy natin ang laban at tapusin ang kasamaan sa ating lipunan, para sa kabutihan at kinabukasan ng bawat marangal, maka-Diyos, at makatarungang Pilipino," she said.

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