De Lima conveys solidarity with calls for justice, democracy

Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has expressed solidarity with various religious groups in jointly fighting against the Duterte administration's twisted policies that promote killings, violence and lowering the age of criminal liability, among others.

In her message for the "One Faith, One Nation, One Voice - A Gathering for Truth, Justice and Peace" last Jan. 25, De Lima said the Filipino public should not allow fear stand in the way of their fight for truth, justice and democracy.

"By now, it is clear to many: Duterte targets those who fight for the truth, justice, human rights, and democracy. He puts his critics in jail, removes them from office, or ordered killed. He spares no one, not the Church, not even God," she said.

"Ipakita po natin na may nagkakaisa tayong boses laban sa mga baluktot na polisiya ng gobyerno. Sa halip na matakot at manahimik, iparinig natin ang ating saloobin, at tumindig para sa tama at makatarungan," she added.

De Lima's solidarity message was posted at the freedom board of the Inter-Faith Rally attended by various members of church and progressive groups at Rajah Sulayman Park in Malate, Manila last Jan. 25.

Under the Duterte regime, killings have been rampant, the people have been desensitized into watching violence and abuses in the news, and children have been subjected to neglect and mistreatment.

De Lima, considered as a prisoner of conscience, underscored the importance of tirelessly speaking out against the tyrannical rule of Duterte to let the country's leaders hear and realize the cry of the common people and see the true state of the nation.

"Patibayin natin ang ating pagbubuklod at iparating sa mga pinuno ng ating bayan: Tutol tayo sa karahasan at patayan, tutol tayo sa kasinungalingan, tutol tayo sa pagpapalaya sa mga magnanakaw, sa pagpapakulong sa mga bata at pagkakait sa kanila ng magandang kinabukasan. Higit sa lahat, tutol tayo sa mga bumabastos at yumuyurak sa Banal na pangalan ng Diyos," she said.

"Patuloy po nating ipagdasal ang ating minamahal na bansa. Manalig tayo na sa huli, laging mangingibabaw ang ating pananampalataya, at mananaig ang katotohanan, katarungan, at kapayapaan," she added.

In the more than two and a half years of the current administration, the lady Senator from Bicol noted the Filipino people have seen that Duterte leads through fear, violence, and intimidation by ordering the killings of the poor, oppressing his critics, and freeing his allies from accountability.

"Ang sabi nga, walang sinasanto. Talagang walang sinasanto si Duterte maliban sa kanyang sarili. Walang mahalaga at dapat masunod kundi ang kanyang kapritso. Pinahihigpit niya ang kapit sa kapangyarihan gamit ang dahas, kasinungalingan at pagkakawatak-watak ng mga Pilipino. Sinisiraan ang mga alagad ng Simbahan, at tinawag pa ang Diyos na estupido," she said.

De Lima, the first prominent political prisoner under the Duterte regime, has consistently reminded her countrymen to do their part - no matter how big or small - to ensure justice, peace and order, integrity in government.