Manila Bulletin
Philippines
'Stand up against tyranny, uphold democratic principles,' de Lima tells Filipinos on Rizal Day
Philippines
'Stand up against tyranny, uphold democratic principles,' de Lima tells Filipinos on Rizal Day
'Stand up against tyranny, uphold democratic principles,' de Lima tells Filipinos on Rizal Day
Published Dec 30, 2019 12:00 am
By Hannah Torregoza
Detained Senator Leila de Lima on Monday urged all Filipinos anew to stand up against tyranny and uphold democratic principles for it is “our obligation to the future generation.”
(Manny Llanes / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
“As Rizal said: ‘The tyranny of some is possible only through the cowardice of others.’ Standing up against a despotic regime and upholding our democratic principles is our obligation not only to this generation, but also to the generations to come,” de Lima said in her Rizal Day’s message.
“Instead of siding with those who continue to ruin our people and country, let us once again strengthen our solidarity in bringing back the glory of our nation that is committed in promoting human rights, social justice and democracy,” said the senator, who is a known critic of the Duterte administration.
The senator has consistently rejected the government’s brutal war on drugs and the thousands of killings that resulted with the administration’s anti-illegal drug campaign.
De Lima, likewise, scored President Duterte’s absence in Rizal Day commemoration rites, saying it only showed the Philippine leader’s disrespect and lack of zeal to uphold Gat Jose Rizal’s principles.
“Kung tutuusin, puwede sanang palampasin na lang kung ang isang naturingang pinuno ng bansa ay tinatamad o nagpapalusot lang kung ayaw niyang dumalo sa mga tradisyon ng paggunita sa ating mga bayani, (We could have let it pass if a leader of the country is just lazy or is coming up with excuses if he doesn’t want to attend the tradition of commemorating our heroes’ sacrifices),” De Lima said.
“Pero ang hindi katanggap-tanggap sa atin ay ang kawalan mismo ng pagpapahalaga ng isang pinuno sa mga ipinaglabang prinsipyo ng ating mga bayani—ang pagtatanggol sa ating teritoryo, paggalang sa karapatang pantao, malayang pamamahayag at pagkakapantay-pantay (But what is unacceptable to us is the absence of the very principles that our heroes promoted—defending our territory, respecting human rights, and freedom of expression and equality—from our leader),” she lamented.
Duterte’s spokesperson Salvador Panelo, earlier announced that the President will skip this year’s 123rd Rizal Day celebration again in Manila.
According to Panelo, Duterte wants to honor other Filipino heroes who do not have a date to commemorate their heroism.
(Manny Llanes / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
“As Rizal said: ‘The tyranny of some is possible only through the cowardice of others.’ Standing up against a despotic regime and upholding our democratic principles is our obligation not only to this generation, but also to the generations to come,” de Lima said in her Rizal Day’s message.
“Instead of siding with those who continue to ruin our people and country, let us once again strengthen our solidarity in bringing back the glory of our nation that is committed in promoting human rights, social justice and democracy,” said the senator, who is a known critic of the Duterte administration.
The senator has consistently rejected the government’s brutal war on drugs and the thousands of killings that resulted with the administration’s anti-illegal drug campaign.
De Lima, likewise, scored President Duterte’s absence in Rizal Day commemoration rites, saying it only showed the Philippine leader’s disrespect and lack of zeal to uphold Gat Jose Rizal’s principles.
“Kung tutuusin, puwede sanang palampasin na lang kung ang isang naturingang pinuno ng bansa ay tinatamad o nagpapalusot lang kung ayaw niyang dumalo sa mga tradisyon ng paggunita sa ating mga bayani, (We could have let it pass if a leader of the country is just lazy or is coming up with excuses if he doesn’t want to attend the tradition of commemorating our heroes’ sacrifices),” De Lima said.
“Pero ang hindi katanggap-tanggap sa atin ay ang kawalan mismo ng pagpapahalaga ng isang pinuno sa mga ipinaglabang prinsipyo ng ating mga bayani—ang pagtatanggol sa ating teritoryo, paggalang sa karapatang pantao, malayang pamamahayag at pagkakapantay-pantay (But what is unacceptable to us is the absence of the very principles that our heroes promoted—defending our territory, respecting human rights, and freedom of expression and equality—from our leader),” she lamented.
Duterte’s spokesperson Salvador Panelo, earlier announced that the President will skip this year’s 123rd Rizal Day celebration again in Manila.
According to Panelo, Duterte wants to honor other Filipino heroes who do not have a date to commemorate their heroism.