2 senators challenge Filipinos to uphold freedom, democracy like Bonifacio did

Sens. Leila de Lima and Joel Villanueva. INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS

Fight for your rights and uphold freedom and democracy, two senators said on Thursday as they joined the country in remembering the bravery of revolutionary leader Andres Bonifacio.

“Sa panahong muling nababalot ng kadiliman ang ating bansa—kung saan nilalason ang ating mga kaisipan ng kasinungalingan, kahambugan, panggigipit, at pagmamalabis ng nasa kapangyarihan, nawa’y buong tapang din nating ipahayag ang ating saloobin at ipaglaban ang ating mga karapatan,” De Lima, an opposition member in the Senate, said in a statement.

(In times when the country is being enveloped in darkness—where minds are being poisoned with lies, arrogance, persecution, and abuse of power, may we find the courage to speak up and fight for our rights.)

The senator, who has been detained at the Philippine National Police’s Custodial Center in Quezon City for drug-related charges, also urged the public to demand accountability and call for a real change.

Senator Joel Villanueva, meanwhile, underscored the importance of the institutions that “uphold our democracy and our freedom.”

“The lessons we learn from Bonifacio should teach us to value the institutions that uphold our democracy and our freedom,” Villanueva, who is part of the majority bloc in the Senate, said in another statement.

“May his example ingrain in us a deep sense of nationalism and passion to become future drivers of growth and leaders in nation-building,” he said.

The heroic deeds of Bonifacio, Villanueva said, should further motivate and inspire the people to be “critical, assertive, and proactive” in finding solutions to the country’s pressing problems. /jpv

RELATED STORY

Duterte says Bonifacio revolt must continue