Senator Leila de Lima. FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Leila de Lima expressed on Tuesday her admiration for women who continue to fight for the country’s democracy.
“Saludo po tayo sa mga kapwa natin kababaihan, na sa kabila ng dinanas at patuloy na dinaranas na pangmamaliit, pambabastos, panggigipit at pagyurak sa kanilang karapatan at pagkatao ay patuloy na lumalaban para sa kapakanan ng lahat at ng ating demokrasya. Hindi sumuko, hindi nagpatinag, sa halip ay lalong nagpakatatag,” de Lima said in her message on International Women’s Day.
(We salute our fellow women who, despite understatement, profanity, oppression, and attacks on their rights and humanity, continue to fight for the welfare of everyone and for our democracy.)
De Lima, who has been detained at Camp Crame in Quezon City since 2017 for what she calls trumped-up charges, also thanked people who have supported her in her battles.
“Naramdaman ko ang inyong pagmamahal lalo na sa mga unang nanindigan sa aking tabi noong pilit na binabastos at niyuyurakan ang aking pagkababae sa Kongreso, sa media at social media,” she said.
(I have felt your love, especially from those who stayed by my side when my womanhood was being ridiculed in Congress, media, and social media.)
“Lubos ko rin itong naramdaman sa mga nanay at mga misis na inulila ng drug war, na sa kabila ng pagdadalamhati, ay lagi’t lagi akong pinaalalahanan na ‘Lalaban tayo, Sen. Leila, lalaban tayo,’” the senator added.
(I have also felt this overwhelmingly from mothers and wives of those killed in the drug war, who, despite their grief, always reminds me that “We will fight, Sen. Leila, we will fight.”)
De Lima stressed that the collective actions of women constitute a strong force in a time of crisis.
The senator likewise vowed to push for laws and resolutions in the Senate that will protect the rights of women.
“Katulad ng dati kong sinabi, at lagi kong sasabihin sa lahat ng panahon: Sapagkat ang maging babae sa panahon ng ligalig ay maging babaeng lumalaban,” she said.
(Like what I always say, and what I will always say at all times: To be a woman in times of trouble is to be a woman who is fighting.)
“Hanggang ang mga sipol at hipo ay tuluyan nang mangimi. Hanggang ang panaghoy ng inang inulila ay maging kolektibong sigaw ng pagkamit ng hustisya. Patuloy tayong lalaban. Lagi tayong maninindigan,” de Lima added.
(Until whistles and physical touches are silenced. Until the lamentations of a mother who lost her child becomes a collective shout for justice. We will continue to fight. We will always stand our ground.)
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