Senators call for unity amid threats to democracy

MANILA, Philippines - Senators yesterday called for unity and stronger institutions in the face of present-day threats to democracy, including fake news, terrorism, criminality and poverty.

Senators Sonny Angara and Panfilo Lacson said wars and conflict are not only threats to freedoms fought for by heroes of the past, but also the lack of jobs, education, corruption and health.

“There’s no true freedom if there are still those who are hungry, sick, living in fear or ignorant. How can one freely choose one’s path if one is hungry, physically weak or uneducated?” Angara said in his speech at the flag-raising ceremony at the Pinaglabanan Shrine in San Juan City.

He said the challenges faced by the nation cannot be addressed by the government alone, so ordinary citizens should “fill the gaps left by society,” by simple acts like following the law and paying the right taxes and helping those in need.

Lacson, who led the flag-raising rites at the Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite, considered poverty, corruption and terrorism as among the biggest threats to the country’s freedoms.

“We are faced with the threats of terrorism left and right, the great damage caused by illegal drugs and the blind obedience to radicalism and fanaticism,” Lacson said.

‘Diversity breeds unity’

For Sen. Loren Legarda, a shared understanding of the diverse Filipino culture is key to promoting inclusive growth.

“Our culture and our values define our being Filipino. We can never work together wholeheartedly towards the inclusive growth and development of our nation if we do not have national pride as a people, if we do not appreciate the richness of our diverse culture,” she said.

“Our culture is our identity. Our different ethno-linguistic groups – each with a distinct heritage of traditions, dance, art, music, folklore, beliefs, value systems – make up the identity of the Filipino people. Ensuring inclusivity in a nation that has rich and diverse culture is a difficult challenge, but not impossible,” she added.

Sen. Joel Villanueva said unity among Filipinos is key to combating the many challenges the nation faces today.

Assert independence

Meanwhile, the Senate minority bloc – composed of Senators Franklin Drilon as the minority leader; Francis Pangilinan, Paolo Benigno Aquino IV and Leila de Lima, who all belong to the Liberal Party; Antonio Trillanes IV and Risa Hontiveros – called on various institutions of democracy such as Congress and the Supreme Court to assert their independence.

“Now, more than ever, it is important for our democratic institutions to show their independence amidst the complicated and divisive political environment that we have today,” the bloc said in a statement.

“We will not be able to protect our people if we do not preserve our independence and integrity as institutions of democracy,” the senators said.

Drilon said that dishonoring and disrespecting institutions should not be allowed, as doing so would be “an insult to the memory of the brave and selfless Filipinos who fought for our freedom as a nation.”

Trillanes stressed that it is in everyone’s interest to guard the independence of Philippine institutions.

For Pangilinan and Aquino, people should continue guarding democracy in light of the proliferation of “fake news” and misinformation.

‘Witch hunting’ hit

Opposition senators hit Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II for waging what they called a “witch hunt” against them based on fake news.

Aguirre earlier accused opposition lawmakers, including Aquino, Pangilinan, Trillanes and Hontiveros, of plotting to destabilize the Duterte administration by allegedly instigating the attack of the Maute militants in Marawi City last May 23.

Despite later admitting making a mistake and privately apologizing to Aquino, Aguirre issued a directive to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to probe the lawmakers for alleged involvement in the said plot.

Drilon asked Aguirre “to stop engaging in witch hunting” and issue a public apology as his allegations came from fake news.

Hontiveros described Aguirre’s order to the NBI as “a form of intimidation and a waste of taxpayers’ money.” – With Janvic Mateo