Sereno urges gov’t, people to uphold human rights

September 21, 2017

Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno on Thursday urged the government to uphold human rights and for people to fight for them.

In her keynote address during the unveiling of the monument of the late Senator Jose  Diokno at the Commission on Human Rights in Quezon City, Sereno said the fight to protect human rights of the Filipino people and democracy in the country persists, even after 45 years of the martial rule by the late President Ferdinand Marcos.

"The same old problems remain. There still is that deep fear among mothers and fathers whenever darkness falls," she said.

Guests during the unveiling of Diokno's statue were former President Benigno Aquino III,Vice President Leni Robredo, Senator Bam Aquino and Senator Franklin Drilon.

"He pushed back against dictatorship. He fought long and hard for freedom, democracy and human rights in our country", Commission on Human Rights chairman Chito Gascon said.

"He loved our nation and its people so much that he gave all of himself to this noble cause of restoring democracy affirming human rights", he added.

Gascon said Diokno set up the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG), the first human rights organization in the Philippines which still protects victims of human rights

Sereno, who had taken a wellness leave at the Supreme Court, challenged the youth to follow the patriotism and courage by Diokno.

"A simple bust is not enough... We must continue to relive his struggles and articulate his thoughts," she said.

Sereno made her first public appearance of Sereno after the House of Representatives approved the impeachment complaint against her for sufficiency in form and substance last week.

Around 3,000 Tindig Pilipinas members and Block Marcos, IDefend, CAMB, and Kalipunan protesters joined the event, said a Tindig Pilipinas personnel.

The personnel said the Tindig Pilipinas members marched to CHR grounds after the mass in UP chappel and the other groups went to the area after protesting in Mendiola. Alanna Ambi/DMS