I am really honored and thankful to the members of the IPU Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians, led by Fawzia Koofi (Afghanistan), Fazle Karim Chowdhury (Bangladesh) and Rogier Huizenga, manager of IPU Human Rights Programme for visiting me today to check on my condition and assess the cases filed against me.
As I mark my 90th day in detention, meeting with the IPU delegates and talking about various matters with them gives me hope and encouragement. I assured them that even though I am detained and despite this government’s relentless attacks against me, I will continue to fight for what is just and right; that I am doing all that I possibly can to continue fulfilling my duty as sitting Senator of the Republic of the Philippines.
I also discussed with them my petition to allow me to participate in the voting on major legislative measures, such as opposing the re-imposition of the death penalty.
This IPU visit is another proof that indeed, the world is watching. Let us continue calling the Duterte regime to stop the extrajudicial killings in the Philippines, to stop violating our Constitution and our fundamental human rights, and to stop killing our democracy.