The conveners of the newly launched multisectoral organization TindigPilipinas fight for their mission to call out President Rodrigo Duterte to refrain from, what they described as, practicing violence in instilling laws as this leads to the “degradation” of the country.
“We lay the wrongdoings we see around us on the doorstep of the President. We also recognize that he is not doing this alone and that there are many others helping him along on this destructive path for whatever motives. But the end result is the same: national degradation,” TindigPilipinas said in a statement.
Among the conveners are the steadfast critics of Duterte, who are from the senate and congress minority bloc, Senators Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, Risa Hontiveros and Antonio Trillanes IV and Representatives Teddy Baguilat, Tom Villarin and Gary Alejano.
According to former Civil Service Commission Chair Karina Constantino-David, who is also part of the coalition, TindigPilipinas is a “coalition of coalitions” of different groups seeking to expand nationwide and reach the grassroots of the concerns against the Duterte administration’s way of ruling.
The group urged Filipinos to be vigilant about human rights violations in the country.
The group will also organize a protest rally to commemorate the declaration of Martial Law on September 21.
Furthermore, during the launching on Monday, in the absence of the detained senator Leila de Lima, a chair with a blue shawl was reserved for her.
(DAILY NEWS ROUND UP FOR 09/ 19 / 17)