Senator Leila De Lima. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Detained senator Leila De Lima on Sunday asked Filipinos to reflect on the current situation of the country and pray for its future this Holy Week.
De Lima said Filipinos, even non-Catholics, must take the occasion of Holy Week as a time to “reflect on the suffering of our fellow Filipinos, especially the plight of poor families, and be enlightened on the dire state of our nation.”
“Gamitin po sana natin ang panahon na ito, kasama ang ating pamilya, na ipagdasal ang kapakanan at kinabukasan ng ating bansa (In this occasion, pray for the future of our country with your families),” De Lima said in a statement.
“Ipagdasal po natin ang tagumpay ng mga tapat na pinuno, ang pagpapanagot sa mga tunay na salarin—silang mga nagtatago at mga naghuhugas-kamay sa kanilang kabuktutan—gayundin ang pagkaluklok ng mga lingkod-bayan na totoong maglilingkod nang tapat sa sambayanan,” the senator added.
(Let us pray for honest leaders and the prosecution of those who are hiding from their wrongdoings. Let us also pray for the victory of the real leaders that will serve the country.)
The senator, a staunch critic of the Duterte administration, also dared Filipinos to stand up for their Catholic faith against the “disrespectful” remarks made towards the religion.
“Ang hamon at panawagan nga po sa atin ngayon, hindi lamang bilang Katoliko, kundi pati na rin bilang mga Pilipino: Magwawalang kibo na lang ba tayo o maninindigan laban sa walang habas na pagpaslang sa ating mga maralitang kababayan, sa pananakot at pagkakalat ng kasinungalingan para manira ng kapwa, sa pagbalahura sa Simbahan, at higit sa lahat, sa pagbastos sa pangalan ng Panginoong ating Tagapagligtas?” she added.
(Filipinos, not only Catholics, have a calling right now. Are we going to stay silent or defend our country against the prevalent violence against our countrymen. Are we going to fight against those spreading fake news? Most of all, are we going to fight against those disrespecting the Church and our God?)
De Lima is set to celebrate Holy Week inside Camp Crame, Quezon City with her family.
De Lima has been detained inside Camp Crame since February 2017 over her alleged involvement in drug deals. /je