Students from the Ateneo de Manila (AdMU) and De La Salle University (DLSU) voiced out their opposition over the possible presidential bid of former Senator Bongbong Marcos.
In a joint statement, Ateneans for 1Sambayan and 1Sambayan Lasalyano said Marcos' possible presidential bid is a "revictimization of the survivors and fatalities of Martial Law."
"Marcos and his cronies have mercilessly taken countless lives, spilling the blood of innocent people and ripping loved ones away from their families. No amount of years passed are enough for us to forget especially when justice was never served, nor accountability taken," the statement read.
"We denounce in the strongest possible terms this shameless bid to install another Marcos in the Malacañang. In an age of misinformation and the prevalence of historical distortion, we cannot forge. We owe it to our predecessors -- not just Ateneans and Lasallians like Edjop and Jose Diokno -- but all Filipinos that have come before us to safeguard our democracy from yet another despot, let alone a Marcos," it further read.
The group also called on the Filipino youth to be vigilant of the "Marcos' systemic lies and distortion" and encouraged the youth to vote and vote wisely.
"It is very convenient for the Marcoses and their followers to think that the Filipino people of today can just move past the horrors of Martial Law. But as long as our youth value patriotism, truth, and liberty—we shall never forget."
The group also urged state leaders to "enact reforms necessary to change the system that allowed and emboldened criminals like the Marcoses to vie for seats of power in the country" and demanded that those who benefitted from Martial Law to be "tried and convicted."
"Our country’s road to justice and freedom is paved by the blood of Martial Law victims and survivors. We believe that the Filipino people will not let their sacrifices be in vain, and that we will have a government that is free from the plague of corruption and oppression," they added.
"We already know how to defeat Marcos. We have done it twice. We will do it a third time."