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Sereno to young people: Give your all to protect democracy, freedom


Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno on Friday called on the youth to stand up for truth and justice amid concerns about President Rodrigo Duterte's imposition of martial law in Mindanao aimed at defeating terrorist groups.

Speaking at the commencement exercises of the Ateneo De Manila University in Quezon City, Sereno challenged the youth to give their "all to protect our nation and our people."

"Given the present day, when the possibility of history repeating itself looms imminent, no cause requires your commitment as much as the cause of human rights, justice, and democracy, themes you have aptly chosen," she said.

Sereno is an Ateneo alumna, having finished her economics degree in the Jesuit-run institution in 1980.

"I urge you to speak out with truth even against the overwhelming tide of popular opinion and reach out to the oppressed and disenfranchised. When you face threats to the sanctity of human rights or the stability of our democracy, give your all to protect these freedoms. Give your all to protect our nation and our people," Sereno added.

 


 

She said to stand for democracy is to love one's country and people "so fully that you will act to ensure democratic processes are followed despite great personal cost."

"To stand for all of these is to sacrifice yourself so that others may know freedom, safety, and all the fullness of life. Know that you are not alone. You will not be alone. Have the courage to stand," Sereno said.

She then took an apparent dig at the Duterte administration, whose rule has been marred by allegations of unexplained killings being blamed on the war on drugs.

"For today, people’s fundamental human rights and freedoms, the core of our democracy, face grave and blatant threats. The culture of impunity is on the rise. People are pressured to favor the easy choice over the right choice: expediency over due process; convenient labeling over fairness; the unlawful termination of human life over rehabilitation," the chief magistrate added.

Explaining her thoughts on the martial law declaration, Sereno said the nation "might reap the benefits of the legitimate use" of this "immense power" if Duterte and the government authorities avoid the "gross historical sins" of the Marcos regime.

“Suffice it to say that the martial law power is an immense power that can be used for good, to solve defined emergencies; but all earthly powers when abused can result in oppression,” she said.

Citing various SC rulings, Sereno said the martial law imposed by then President Ferdinand Marcos from 1972 to 1981 was characterized by "widespread human rights violations" such as murders, rape, torture, forced disappearances, arbitrary arrests and illegal detention, and forced isolation or hamletting of villages.

"We know what happened. Marcos failed our people. Those of us who were alive at the time bore witness to the human rights atrocities and the corruption caused by such absolute power," said Sereno, one of the five justices who voted against the burial of the late strongman at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

At a news conference upon his arrival from Russia on Wednesday, Duterte pointed to the projected arrival of terror group ISIS in the country and the open defiance of lawless armed groups in Marawi City led by Maute group as the "compelling reason" for his declaration of martial law in Mindanao.

The President said he might also expand the coverage of martial law to cover the whole country "if ISIS has already taken foothold in Luzon and terrorism is really not far behind."

Under the 1987 Constitution, the President may declare martial law in any part of the country for a period of 60 days.

Both houses of Congress, voting jointly, may revoke or extend the proclamation while the SC may invalidate the martial law declaration within 30 days after a petition is filed.

The Integrated Bar of the Philippines earlier said it does not see any need to challenge the declaration at the moment, adding it supports "all legal means" to end the unrest in Mindanao and "encourage the achievement of peace through lawful means." — RSJ, GMA News

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