Opposition hits ‘authoritarian rule’ of Duterte

CEBU, Philippines — Opposition leaders who gathered in Cebu City yesterday for the opening of the 7th Regular Congress and 20th anniversary of Akbayan Partylist denounced what they said was President Duterte’s “authoritarian” rule.

Among them were Senator Risa Hontiveros, Liberal Party Senator Bam Aquino, former Commission on Human Rights chairperson Etta Rosales Magdalo, Representative  Gary Alejano, Representative Erin Tañada, who read the message of LP Senator Leila de Lima, Akbayan leaders from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, as well as community leaders and social movement members.

“We know what the country is up against. Today’s dominant politics spread hate and divisiveness among our people.  Tyrants with a messianic complex will offer shortcuts and quick-fix solutions to systemic problems,” Hontiveros said.

Opposition leaders said “The Resistance” is a gathering of like-minded opposition leaders and personalities critical of the personalities of the Duterte administration.

“‘Critical’ because our Filipino people have long been subjected to fake news and repression of basic rights,” said Tom Villarin of Akbayan.

Villarin is hopeful that "The Resistance" will eventually evolve into a genuine opposition that is formidable and one that would send a strong message that impunity is about to end.

Senator de Lima, in her speech delivered by Tañada, called Duterte as "tunay na trapo" and "a dictator, concerned only about his own interest and political survival."  She also described Duterte's drug war as "fake."

Alejano, in his speech, said with what is happening now under the Duterte administration, it seems “we are going towards the path of darkness which is dictatorship manned by one person, who is always right and should be followed.”

“Sa kabila ng pagdepensa ng administrasyong Duterte sa uri ng pamamalakad nito, hindi maikakaila sa kanilang mga salita, aksyon at pulisiya na sinisira nito ang demokrasiya sa ating bansa,” Alejano said. (FREEMAN)