Amid the continuing injustices happening in the country under the leadership of President Duterte, Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has expressed confidence that the Youth Arm of the Liberal Party can ignite what she called a “revolution of conscience” among the citizenry.
In a message from her detention quarters at Camp Crame, De Lima said the youth has the power to ignite change and influence the people around them to stop turning a blind eye on the rampant human rights abuses in the Philippines.
“Kayo ang tunay na makakalunsad ng tinatawag kong ‘revolution of conscience,'” she said, referring to the youth.
“Kayong mga kabataan ang tunay na makakagising at makakasindak sa mga kababayan natin na patuloy pa rin na mga nagbubulag bulagan, nagbibingi-bingihanat nagtutulug-tulugan sa mga di makatarungan at di maka-Diyos na mga pamamalakad ng mga nasa kapangyarihan ngayon,” she added.
To date, Duterte continues to promote extrajudicial killings to prevent crime, which resulted to the deaths of people, including children and young students, mostly coming from poor families.
In these challenging times, the Senator from Bicol encouraged the Filipino youth to act like how heroes would in times of difficulties.
“Anyone can be a hero… Let us seize this moment to be heroes for this country,” she said.
De Lima, the first prominent political prisoner under the Duterte regime, said all it takes is conviction and fidelity to one’s principles in order to be considered a hero.
“Let us commemorate this hugely momentous event in our nation’s life by showing our collective zeal to stand up for what is right, true, and just always,” she said.
“Know that I am with you and for you in heart and spirit,” she added.