De Lima: Be not afraid to speak against Duterte

People should not be afraid to oppose President Rodrigo Duterte’s views, particularly his most recent tirades against the Church and his admission that he molested his family’s maid as a teenager.

Detained opposition Sen. Leila de Lima made these remarks on Tuesday, saying silence, apathy or cowardice had been “enablers of the new order of political turmoil and moral decay in the society” under the President.

‘Foul mouth’

“The trash that comes out from the foul mouth of this President — the ‘confession’ about the sexual assault on a house helper and the intensified attacks against the Catholic faith — is growing ever more toxic and extremely sickening,” De Lima said.

The President also mocked the Christian doctrine of the Holy Trinity — where God exists as three persons—by calling it “silly.”

It was the latest of his statements against the Church that has been critical of the killings in his war on drugs.

Remaining silent, uncaring or unafraid would just perpetuate political turmoil and moral decay, De Lima said.

She also blasted the people who had applauded the President’s remarks.

These people, along with members of the opposition, should not be afraid to condemn the administration’s oppressive and unjust moves and should hold leaders accountable for their words and actions, she said.