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De Lima vows to fight the ‘dark side’ as she makes it to Time 100


Senator Leila de Lima on Friday vowed to fight the “dark side” referring to the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, as she welcomed her inclusion on the TIME list of 100 Most Influential People.

In a statement, De Lima said she is “humbled” by the international recognition, as she reiterated becoming a victim of “political persecution.”

“The struggle for human rights and the fight for justice for those who have been murdered by the Duterte regime in its drug war are not popular causes as of the moment. For many of our countrymen, it is more convenient to huddle up close to Malacañang and reap the benefits of being a sycophant, rather than take the road less traveled but be the victim of political persecution by a vengeful strongman,” she said.

“I could have chosen to stay silent and dance with the regime's music, but that would have been a betrayal of the country, the oppressed, the marginalized, and the fight for justice,” De Lima added.

“It would have been a betrayal of my father, my sons, and my family. I cannot for once contemplate capitulating to the dark side that this regime now embodies in exchange for a comfortable but opportunist life,” she further said.

De Lima was named as one of the “Icons” on the TIME list. President Duterte was also included in the list of most influential people.

De Lima, who has initiated a Senate investigation on the drug-related killings int he country, said the recognition proves that the world is watching the Philippines.

“This is why international recognition of what we fight for is important, because even as darkness surrounds us now, the world keeps watch and shines a light on us, until the time comes when we can finally bear our own torch once again and chase away the monster that enslaves us in evil,” she said.

De Lima is presently detained at the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame over her alleged involvement in illegal drug trade inside the national penitentiary when she was still secretary of Justice. — RSJ, GMA News

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