‘Threats to democracy and erosion of moral fabric’
We, the Missionary Benedictine Sisters of the Manila Priory and the academic community at St. Scholastica’s College, express our deep concern over the disturbing events happening in our country that pose a serious threat to the democratic and moral foundations of our society.
We protest the continued killings, mostly of poor people in relation to the war against drugs even after the change in command of the Philippine National Police.
We are ashamed of the invectives spewed by President Duterte against international bodies and officials who have expressed concern over these killings, and those who have declared their intent to investigate them in the performance of their duties.
We are alarmed at the suppression of dissent, critique and opposition in the following cases:
- The unjust detention of Sen. Leila de Lima using fabricated evidence and testimonies of compromised witnesses.
- The impeachment case filed against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno without citing any impeachable offense and the attempt to unseat her unconstitutionally through quo warranto. We are appalled by the disrespect for the law by those who are supposed to enforce and protect it.
- The attempt to silence Rappler through the withdrawal of its license to operate and by the discrimination against its reporter.
- The recurring threats against Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales.
- And lately, the arrest and detention of Sister Patricia Fox who has spent over 27 years in the Philippines helping to protect the rights of the poor especially the farmers.
We cannot comprehend how a supposedly “independent foreign policy” has our government virtually capitulating sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea to China.
We strongly oppose the changing of our Constitution through a constituent assembly and without thorough study, especially of provisions that would repeal the protection of our patrimony.
We unite with all freedom-loving citizens in standing up to oppose these threats to democracy and the erosion of our moral fabric.
SISTER MARY FRANCES DIZON, OSB President St. Scholastica’s College
SISTER ADELAIDA YGRUBAY, OSB Prioress Missionary Benedictine Sisters
