Press Release
August 31, 2021

Defy leaders who rule with violence - De Lima

Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima urged Filipinos to unite in fighting for the lives and future of their countrymen by defying leaders who rule with thoughtless, careless and selfish violence.

In her message for the Everywoman's "The Game Changer" held a day after her 62nd birthday on Aug. 28, De Lima said she believes that "good has to stand up and fight against evil," especially during these dark times under the present administration.

"As our people are continuing to suffer from the consequences of UNMITIGATED INCOMPETENCE, SHAMELESS GREED and SHEER LACK OF CONSCIENCE AND HUMANITY, the meaning of our fight has never been clearer. It is as plain as black and white. Good versus evil," she said.

"Now, more than ever, I believe that GOOD has to stand up and fight against EVIL. Now, more than ever, I believe in the value of what we fight for. I come to you with a message, not just of celebration and of thanks for your unsilenced and untiring support, but also for the PURPOSE OF UNITY and the UNITY OF PURPOSE," she added.

De Lima, the most prominent political prisoner under the Duterte regime, celebrated her 5th birthday in unjust detention last Aug. 27 with prayer blessings from Frs. Flavie Villanueva and Albert "Paring Bert" Alejo at the reception area inside PNP Custodial Center, Camp Crame.

The lady Senator from Bicol who has been detained for roughly five years now, shared that if there is one thing that she is sure of, it is the fact that her oppressors failed to extinguish her spirit and love for her country.

"It's all a matter of perspective, isn't it? My persecutors, the people who FEAR my voice - and, truly, the voice of every woman who has dared to speak up against tyranny, misogyny, toxic masculinity, the perpetration of systemic abuse against our people - want the world to believe that they have defeated me; that they have kicked me into submission; that they have silenced me throughout these FIVE YEARS," she said.

"But in whatever perspective anyone, even my oppressors, might take, one thing cannot be denied: in all these FIVE YEARS they have not extinguished my spirit, or my love for our country."

"And I have living, breathing and DEFIANT proof that my persecutors are wrong. They have not won. I am still fighting. I have not, AND WILL FOREVER REFUSE TO BE, silenced. And, most of all, I am NOT ALONE," she added.

"With you here, fighting side-by-side with me for the last five years, how can I lose the will to fight? How can I lose hope? And, quite simply, how can I lose?" she asked.

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