ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. Antonio Tinio strongly condemned the continued harassment of progressive leaders through baseless legal cases, citing the Department of Justice’s motion for reconsideration against former Senator Leila de Lima’s acquittal and the wrongful conviction of former ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro and former Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo in the Talaingod 13 case.
“These cases expose the systematic weaponization of our justice system against those who dare to challenge the status quo,” Tinio declared. “Senator De Lima, Congresswoman France Castro, and Ka Satur Ocampo are being persecuted not for any crime, but for their unwavering commitment to human rights and social justice.”
The DOJ’s motion for reconsideration against De Lima’s acquittal comes after she spent over six years in detention on fabricated drug charges. Meanwhile, Castro and Ocampo were convicted for “child abuse” after participating in a 2018 humanitarian mission to rescue Lumad students and teachers threatened by paramilitary forces.
“Ang ginagawa ng gobyerno ay isang malinaw na pag-atake sa lahat ng tumutol sa kanilang mga maling patakaran,” Tinio emphasized. “Si Senator De Lima ay nakulong ng mahigit anim na taon dahil sa mga gawa-gawang kaso. Si Congresswoman Castro at Ka Satur naman ay kinasuhan dahil tumulong sila sa mga Lumad na bata at guro na nanganganib ang buhay.”
Tinio noted that all three leaders have been consistent critics of state violence and human rights violations. De Lima led Senate investigations into extrajudicial killings during the Duterte administration, while Castro and Ocampo have long advocated for indigenous peoples’ rights and educational access.
“The pattern is clear: fabricate charges, conduct trial by publicity, and use the courts to silence dissent,” Tinio stated. “This is not justice—this is state terrorism disguised as legal process.”
ACT Teachers Partylist calls on the courts to reject the DOJ’s motion for reconsideration in the De Lima case and to overturn the wrongful conviction of the Talaingod 13. The organization also demands accountability for officials who orchestrated these politically motivated prosecutions.
“Hindi dapat hayaang maging instrumento ng pang-aapi ang aming sistema ng hustisya,” Tinio concluded. “We stand with Senator De Lima, Congresswoman Castro, Ka Satur, and all victims of state persecution. Their fight for justice is our fight for democracy.” #
