Press Release
August 30, 2018

Fight crooked policies of Duterte admin - De Lima

Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has urged the Filipino people to continue standing up against the oppressive and crooked policies of the present administration that continue to undermine the country's democracy and disrespect our basic rights.

De Lima, who made the statement in commemoration of this year's National Heroes Day last Aug. 27, said Filipinos should strive to be heroes by protecting the country and their fellow Filipinos from an extremist leader in their own little ways.

"Malinaw po sa kasaysayan: Sa mga panahong sinisikil ang ating kalayaan at karapatan, sa mga pagkakataong niyuyurakan ang ating dignidad, tinatawag ang bawat isa na tugunan ang tungkuling gawin ang tama at makabubuti sa kapwa at bansa," she said.

"Ngayon nga po, hinahamon ang bawat Pilipinong manindigan laban sa mga baluktot na polisiya ng isang mapaniil na pamahalaan. Sa mga pangakong hindi lang bigong tuparin, kundi pinalulubha pa ang kalagayan ng ating bayan," she added.

Under the Duterte Regime - whose rise to power becomes reminiscent of the fascist dictatorship - more than 23,000 people, including children and minors, have been killed either through vigilante-style executions or "legitimized" police operations.

Aside from recognizing the Philippine national heroes, De Lima also paid tribute to the so-called modern heroes in her statement- including the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who work hard abroad to provide for their families in the Philippines and soldiers who risk their own safety to protect their countrymen, among others.

"Ang bayan natin ay tunay na duyan ng magiting. Pinatunayan ito ng ating mga bayaning nakipaglaban para palayain ang ating bansa mula sa mga banyaga. Pinatunayan ito ng milyon-milyong Pilipinong mapayapang nakipaglaban para sa demokrasya at patalsikin ang mapaniil na diktadurya," she said.

"Pinatutunayan ito ng ating mga unipormadong hanay na araw-araw nasa panganib ang buhay sa pagtatanggol ng ating teritoryo. [P]inatutunayan ito ng ating mga kababayang nakikipagsapalaran sa ibayong dagat, upang maibangon sa hirap ang pamilya. [P]inatutunayan ito ng bawat Pilipino, sa munti mang paraan, sa pagmamalasakit at pagtulong sa higit na nangangailangan," she added.

The Senator from Bicol underscored the need for her countrymen to ignite the spirit of love for the country and reflect on the courage of the Philippine national heroes.

"Araw-araw nating isabuhay at bigyang halaga ang natatanging ambag ng mga naunang Pilipino, at ituloy ang kanilang mga ipinaglaban sa ngalan ng katarungan, katotohanan, at pangingibabaw ng batas," she said.

"Kumilos tayo't magkaisa hindi lamang para sa kapakanan at kinabukasan ng ating pamilya, kundi maging ng ating kapwa at buong bansa," she added.

Celebrated as early as 1931, the National Heroes Day in the Philippines is observed every 4th Monday of August as per Republic Act 9492. This year, it coincided with the 59th birthday of De Lima who has been illegally detained for the past 550 days.

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