Sen. Leila de Lima INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / LYN RILLON
As Filipino Catholics observed the annual Holy Week tradition, detained Sen. Leila de Lima on Tuesday called on the public to pray for justice for the thousands of people who perished under the government’s “fake war on drugs.”
De Lima urged the public to include in their prayers the poor victims in the administration’s brutal crackdown on illegal drugs, as well as government officials who “choose to lie than tell the truth.”
“Isama din po natin sa ating dasal ang katarungan para sa lahat ng mga pinatay at inulila sa ilalim ng pekeng kampanya laban sa droga, lalo na ang mga kapuspalad, habang inaabswelto ng gobyerno ang mayayaman at mga salaring kinakasangkapan ng pamahalaan,” De Lima said in a statement.
(Let us also include in our prayers the justice for all those who were killed and orphaned under the fake war on drugs, especially the poor, while the government absolves the rich and those who uses criminals.)
“Ipagdasal po natin ang mga pinunong pinipili ang kasinungalingan kaysa katotohanan, at silang mga nalalasing sa kapangyarihan kaysa unahin ang pagsisilbi sa bayan,” she added.
(Let us pray for our leaders who choose to lie than tell the truth, and those who drown themselves in power than serve the people.)
De Lima said her unjust detention would make this year the second year where she would miss the annual procession of Santo Entierro in Iriga City, Camarines Sur, a tradition her family has been celebrating since she was a child.
She, however, assured that she continues to endure her detention due to prayers.
“Sa kabila ng pagsubok at politikal na panggigipit na aking pinagdadaanan ngayon, nananatili ang aking tatag ng loob at payapang pag-iisip bunga ng panalangin,” De Lima said.
(Despite of all the challenges and political persecution I am going through right now, I remain to be encouraged and at peace because of prayers.)
De Lima called on the public to continue to pray for the country and remember the sufferings of Jesus Christ, who saved mankind from sins.
“Sa panahon ng Semana Santa, sama-sama nating binabalikan kung paanong bilang isang tao, nilabanan ni Hesukristo ang lahat ng hirap, pasakit at tukso ng kasamaan,” the senator said.
(This Holy Week, let us all remember how Jesus Christ, as man, struggled through the hardships, sufferings, temptations and evil.)
“Sa dulo, nanaig ang Kanyang pananampalataya sa Diyos Ama, nang ialay Niya ang sariling buhay para isalba tayo mula sa kasalanan,” she added.
(In the end, His faith to God the Father prevailed when He offered His own life to save us all from evil.)
“Isang mapayapa at makahulugang paggunita ng Semana Santa sa lahat,” she said.
(May we all have a blessed and meaningful Holy Week.) /jpv
RELATED STORY
Duterte’s drug war a ‘fraud,’ says De Lima as Bilibid drug trade resurges