De Lima remembers mothers who lost child to violence

In celebration of Mother's Day today (May 12), Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima called on the Filipino electorate to dedicate their votes to all mothers who lost their children to the Duterte administration's murderous war on drugs.

De Lima, a mother of two, said tomorrow's midterm elections is a chance for everyone to elect worthy candidates who can have significant impact to real change in the country and provide better opportunities for all Filipinos, including mothers and their children.

"Hangad din po nating mga magulang na tiyakin na maganda ang magiging kinabukasan ng ating mga anak, at ng kanilang mga anak. Kaya naman nakadudurog po ng puso na makita ang mga larawan ng mga inang naghihinagpis sa pagkamatay ng mga anak nilang nadamay sa palpak na War on Drugs," she said.

"Bukas, araw na ng eleksyon. Haharap tayo sa sangandaan na magtatakda ng magiging kapalaran ng ating bansa sa mga susunod na taon. Sana po, bilang mga kapwa ko ina, mga kapwa ko babae, mga kapwa ko anak, lalo na, bilang mga kapwa ko Pilipino, piliin natin ang mga pinunong totoong gagabay sa atin tungo sa isang disente, makatarungan at maginhawang bukas para sa mahal nating Inang Bayan," she added.

Since Mr. Duterte assumed the presidency in June 2016, thousands of innocent children who were killed are simply relegated by the present government to a mere "collateral damage" and their parents were left to suffer.

De Lima added: "Hindi ko nga po maiwasang isipin: Ilan kaya sa mga inosenteng bata na ito ang pinangarap na balang araw, maging isang doktor, pulis, piloto, inhinyero, o maging isa ring abogado? Ilan sa kanila ang pinangarap na balang-araw, sila ang mag-aahon sa kanilang pamilya mula sa kahirapan?"

On a personal note, the lady Senator from Bicol thanked God for consistently showering her and her family, including his son, Vincent Joshua Bohol, with His blessings. He recently passed the 2018 Bar Examinations.

"Bilang ina, napapawi ang anumang hirap at sakripisyo, masaksihan lang natin ang ating mga anak na masaya at nasa maayos na sitwasyon. Sapagkat pagsubok din natin ang kanilang pinagdadaanang pagsubok. Tagumpay din natin ang kanilang tagumpay," she said.

"This is why receiving the good news about the passing of my son, Vincent Joshua, in the 2019 Bar Exams was my happiest day in more than two years. Indeed, a glorious day for me and my family," she added.

The Senator also expressed appreciation to the individuals who stood by her side amid these challenging times in her life as a mother, a daughter, and a public servant who remains detained on trumped-up drug charges.

"My heartfelt thanks also to all who have always been there beside us--to our loved ones, colleagues, friends, and supporters who stand by my innocence, to those who shared their joy when my Mom visited me last December, and expressed their dismay when the Court denied my request to attend my son's graduation. Maraming maraming salamat po sa inyong lahat," said the former justice secretary.

After nearly two years in detention, De Lima saw her ailing mother who paid her a surprise visit in her detention quarters at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center in Camp Crame last Dec. 23.

The De Lima matriarch however remains clueless about her daughter's situation.