Robredo on Easter Sunday: Defend freedom, democracy

Vice President Leni Robredo. (File photo by RICHARD A. REYES / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines — Defend your freedom amid threats to democracy.

This was the call of Vice President Leni Robredo to the public as the country celebrated the Resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday.

“Sa panahong ito kung saan tila maraming banta sa ating demokrasya at mga karapatan, gawin nating liwanang ang lakas at sakripisyo ni Kristo upang patuloy tayong tumindig at magkapit-bisig upang ipagtanggol ang ating kalayaan,” Robredo said in a Facebook video message late Saturday night.

“Magsilbing paalala rin sana ang araw na ito sa ating lahat na sa huli, sa kabila ng kadiliman at kahirapan, ang kabutihan at pagmamahalan pa rin ang mananaig,” added Robredo, who leads the opposition.

In 2018, she disputed the statement of President Rodrigo Duterte as the latter set apart human life from human rights in an apparent attempt to downplay criticisms against his administration.

“It is apparent to anyone who wishes to see clearly, that the right to life is one of the most basic human rights. We fight for human rights precisely because we value human lives,” she said.

READ: Robredo twits Duterte: Human life is human rights

With this, she expressed hope that the public would live out the life that Jesus lived as she said that everyone had the right to change.

“Tandaan natin: Ang bawat isa sa atin ay may pag-asa, kakayahan, at pagkakataong magbago at mas pagpabutihin ang ating mga sarili, hindi lang para sa sarili nating interes kundi para sa kapakanan ng ating kapwa at ng minamahal nating bayan,” said Robredo.

“Anuman ang ating pinagdadaanan o kahaharapin pa, gawin sana nating inspirasyon si Kristo at ang araw na ito upang magpatuloy sa ating paglalakbay. Huwag sana tayong panghinaan ng loob na magsimulang muli at magbagong-buhay,” she added. /cbb