With the dismissal of all drug charges against Senator Leila De Lima, it is imperative to address the abuse of power and hold accountable those responsible for undermining democratic principles, particularly during former President Rodrigo Duterte’s regime, Bayan Muna Executive Vice President Carlos Zarate said today.
“With the junking of all her drug cases we appeal to Senator Leila De Lima to actively campaign for the release of all other political prisoners, especially those persecuted by Duterte. Her voice and influence are crucial in the fight for justice and the protection of human rights,”said the former Bayan Muna solon
He also stated that Senator De Lima’s “unjust detention clearly highlights how state institutions were manipulated to persecute government critics.”
“Democratic institutions were weaponized to suppress dissent and criticism,” he added.
Zarate noted that the Duterte administration targeted various individuals, including farmers, church workers, journalists, and even elected officials like Senator De Lima, through red-tagging, false charges, and extrajudicial killings.
“The bastardization of the country’s justice system needs to be urgently addressed, to prevent a repeat of its miscarriage as in the case of Senator De Lima and those similarly situated like hers. We also call for the immediate dismissal of all trumped-up charges against other dissenters and the release of all political prisoners,” he said.
Zarate added that the misuse and abuse of legal and judicial processes for political motives, by creating and peddling of false charges and using fabricated evidence, gravely undermines the rule of law and justice, as well as the integrity of the country’s democratic institutions.
“Those responsible for this blatant injustice must be held accountable to prevent any future abuses of power. The Duterte administration’s actions have inflicted deep wounds on our democracy. It is our duty to demand justice, nothing less,” Zarate ended.
