Ang batas, dapat patas sa lahat.
Dapat predictable ang batas. Hindi tama na sa gitna ng boksing, iibahin ang batas. Hindi tama na ginagamit ang batas para sa kapritso ng nasa kapangyarihan.
Dapat batas, at hindi ang tao, ang nananaig. Hindi tama na ipagsawalang-bahala ang batas, pambansa man tulad ng naka-ambang pagsipa kay Chief Justice Sereno o international tulad ng nangyayaring militarisasyon sa West Philippine Sea.
Lipunan ang gumagawa ng batas para sa mahusay na pamamahala at pakikitungo sa isa’t isa.
Ngayon, matigas ang may hawak ng batas. Matigas sa mahina. Matigas sa walang-poder. Hindi patas.
Ang mali, ginagawang normal. Ang tama, binabaluktot.
Sa May 11, tataya tayo ulit. Tayong mga Liberal at ang lahat ng napupuno na sa lahat ng pagsasa-isang-tabi sa batas, sa demokrasya, sa soberanya.
Sasama tayo sa laban para sa katarungan.
Lalaban tayo para sa isang Korte Suprema na tumatayo para sa batas na patas.
Lalaban tayo para sa kaluluwa ng Pilipinas: Malikhain, hindi mapanira. Marunong makipagkapwa-tao, hindi bastos. Naninindigan, hindi nananahimik.
**
The law should be just to all.
The law must be predictable. Changing the law in the middle of the match is not right. Using the law for the whims of those in power is not right.
The rule of law, not of man, must prevail. Yielding to those in power, and not to the law, is not right. Disregarding the law — whether in national issues such as the plot to kick out Chief Justice Sereno or in global issues such as the militarization in the West Philippine Sea — is not right.
Society makes laws to govern how people interact with each other.
Those who wield power must be compassionate rather than ruthless toward the poor and the weak and the powerless.
The wrong is being normalized. The right is being twisted.
On May 11, we choose to make a stand again. We Liberals will stand with other Filipinos who have had enough of the wanton disregard of our laws, our democracy, our sovereignty.
We will take part in the fight for justice.
We will fight for a Supreme Court that stands for a just rule of law.
We will fight for the soul of the Philippines: Creative, and not destructive. Compassionate, not rude. Resolute in our principles, not silent.
SIGNATORIES
Former President Benigno S. Aquino III
Sen. Francis N. Pangilinan
Sen. Franklin M. Drilon
Sen. Paolo Benigno A. Aquino IV
Sen. Leila De M. Lima
Rep. Edgar R. Erice (District 2, Caloocan City)
Rep. Jorge John B. Banal Jr. (Representative, District 3, Quezon City)
Rep. Jose Christopher Y. Belmonte (Representative, District 6, Quezon City)
Rep. Teodoro B. Baguilat Jr. (Lone District, Ifugao)
Rep. Francis Gerald A. Abaya (District 1, Cavite)
Rep. Edcel C. Lagman (District 1, Albay)
Rep. Raul A. Daza (District 1, Northern Samar)
Cebu Governor Hilario P. Davide III
Former Senator Wigberto Tañada, Sr.
Former Deputy Speaker for Luzon Lorenzo Tañada III
Former Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala
Former Partido Liberal Directors-General Gladys Sta. Rita, Chit Asis
Partido Liberal National Executive Council member Victor Gerardo J. Bulatao
Lawyer Wilfred Asis
From labor sector: Melchor Cayabyab, Roland dela Cruz
From peasant sector: Amy Jonos, Dioscoro Granada, Ed Mora, Francisco Garlit, Jenebert Maglente
From urban poor sector: Lisa Aquilera
From women’s sector: Vicky Garchitorena
From youth sector: Harvey Padilla, Jiggy Calucag, Jobelle Domingo, Ryan Calvin Aquino