Dispatch from Crame No. 898:
Sen. Leila M. de Lima on the filing of Animal Cruelty Charges vs. Manila City Pound Officials

Humanity's true moral test, its fundamental test consists of its attitude towards those who are at its mercy: animals. Sa mga lumabas na mga ulat, larawan at video, tila ba salat sa awa at malasakit ang mga beterinaryo ng Manila City Pound.

Collared dogs panting for dear life, 60 cats crammed inside a 2x3 ft. cage. Starving and dehydrated creatures whose eyes tell of untold horrors experienced firsthand inside a facility that is seemingly apathetic with their welfare.

As any other pet lover would react, I was horrified by the news about these cruelties. Kalunos-lunos, kaawa-awa. Wala silang kalaban-laban sa kamay ng mga dapat nag-aalaga sa kanila.

On the other hand, I wish to commend the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) for their courage in speaking out against the maltreatment suffered by these hapless creatures, and for initiating the appropriate cases. Let their example inspire others to do the same and hold animal abusers accountable under the law. Walang lugar ang anumang kalupitan at pagbabalewala ng buhay, mapa-tao man o hayop, sa ating lipunan.

As we struggle to survive amidst this global pandemic, let us not forget that these creatures are suffering alongside us as well. As the song goes, "every rock and tree and creature has a life, has a spirit, has a name." Animals have the right too - to live and die with dignity. ###

(Access the handwritten version of Dispatch from Crame No. 898, here: https://issuu.com/senatorleilam.delima/docs/dispatch_898)