Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — More than three decades after a peaceful revolution toppled the martial law regime and restored Philippine democracy, Liberal Party leaders see another threat to our country’s freedom.
Detained senator Leila de Lima hit President Duterte for her arrest and what she described as his dictatorial ways of governance.
In her statement to mark the people power revolution anniversary, the lady senator said we have a president who threatens to bring back martial law and supports the killing of many people.
“Sa nakalipas na pitong buwan ng rehimeng Duterte, mas marami nang napatay kumpara sa 14 na taon ng Batas Militar sa ilalim ng rehimeng Marcos,” de Lima said.
[Translation: More people have been killed since Duterte assumed office seven months ago, compared to 14 years of former president Ferdinand Marcos’ Martial Law.]
“Kung magpapatuloy ang mala-diktador na pamamahala at ang paglabag sa ating mga karapatan, anong kinabukasan ang naghihintay sa atin?,” de Lima also said.
[Translation: If this authoritarian-like rule and human rights violations continue, what future await us?]
The senator said the current administration is using propaganda to hide the truth.
“Laganap ang … hayagang panggigipit, pagpapatahimik, at pag-aresto sa kritiko ng Pangulo-kahit walang lehitimong batayan-para lamang pagtakpan ang kapalpakan ng gobyerno,” she added.
[Translation: Critics of the president are silenced and arrested even without substantial basis, just so they can hide their failures.]
De Lima urged Filipinos to “inflame the spirit of EDSA” and fight for truth and justice in the country.
Liberal Party President Kiko Pangilinan said Saturday’s celebration is ironic as his colleague is detained.
“Nakakalungkot pong isipin habang tayo po ay nagccelebrate ng 31 years of restoration of democracy, after regaining our freedom from dictatorship, merong kinukulong na kritiko,” Pangilinan said.
De Lima, one of the president’s most vocal critics, was arrested Friday due to drug-related charges.
Vice President Leni Robredo said Friday de Lima’s arrest was a “surprise move.”
“Some leaders would like us to forget the atrocities of martial law. Some leaders wanted to raise the fist of authoritarianism to sow fear and discord among ourselves. To divide us with lies, violence and bloodshed … The message is loud and clear: anyone who speak dissent is not safe,” Robredo said in a forum Friday.
