De Lima pays tribute to Aquino’s human rights record

Senator Leila de Lima on Wednesday paid tribute to the late former President Noynoy Aquino by recognizing his generous contributions in advancing human rights protection and promotion in the country.

De Lima, who was justice secretary during the Aquino administration, said Aquino’s contribution to the country’s human rights situation should not be put to waste by allowing the culture of impunity and violence reign in the country.

Aquino died of health complications last week.

“The six-year term of PNoy is highly and justly recognized for marking the country’s economic growth, ensuring defense of our territorial rights in the West Philippine Sea, and promoting zero tolerance for corruption. Aside from these, human rights promotion and protection were also strengthened under the PNoy administration,” De Lima said.

“Sa panahong ito na bumalik na naman tayo sa madilim na kabanata ng ating kasaysayan kung saan talamak ang patayan at laganap ang dahas at pang-aabuso, alalahanin natin ang mga pagsisikap na pinangunahan noon ni PNoy upang isulong ang katarungan at karapatang pantao sa bansa,” she added.

Aquino was laid to rest last June 26 as loved ones and supporters gathered to pay their final respects. He was buried at the Manila Memorial Park in Paranaque City beside his parents, democracy icons former president Cory Aquino and former Senator Ninoy Aquino.

In recognizing Aquino’s contributions in advancing human rights in the country, De Lima recalled some landmark human rights-related legislation signed into law during his term from 2010-2016.

“While there was no state-sponsored EJKs during the Aquino administration, PNoy saw it of great importance to issue AO 35 to ensure investigation of the killings of activists and media personnel which were the prevalent cases of EJKs during the Arroyo Administration,” she said.

“To date, AO 35 is the basis of the Department of Justice-led panel’s review of the deaths related to the Duterte administration’s bloody drug war,” she added.

The post De Lima pays tribute to Aquino’s human rights record first appeared on .

Source: Latest Politics News Today (Politics.com.ph)