Incoming Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima expressed her support for actress-singer Nadine Lustre on Thursday, May 22 amid the hateful comments directed at her on social media.
"We at ML Partylist express full support for Nadine Lustre as she files a complaint under the Safe Spaces Act in response to the relentless and malicious attacks she has endured," De Lima, a former senator and Department of Justice (DOJ) secretary, said in a statement Thursday, May 22.
"This is a necessary step in a time when social media is being used to silence voices that speak for justice and reform. Ginagamit ang mga plataporma para buwagin ang makabuluhang diskurso at palitan ito ng galit at paninira (Platforms are being used to dismantle meaningful discourse and replace it with anger and defamation)," she said.
"We support Nadine. Her case is a stand for truth and accountability. Make no mistake: we will push back against this kind of behavior. Hindi ito katanggap-tanggap. Hindi ito dapat palampasin (This is unacceptable. This must not be ignored)," she underscored.
The showbiz personality's woes apparently began last March when she reshared a post on her Instagram that was apparently viewed as her celebrating former president Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity.
Since then, pro-Duterte netizens have been wishing harm upon her and calling her names.
"We believe in freedom of expression. Pero ang kalayaang ito ay hindi dapat gamitin laban sa katotohanan, dignidad, at demokrasya (But this freedom must not be used against truth, dignity, and democracy)," De Lima said.
The incoming congresswoman says 'expression becomes dangerous when it is driven by disinformation and personal malice."
"Marami sa mga lumalabas sa social media ngayon ay hindi maituturing na opinyon. These are part of deliberate effort to harass, discredit, and instill fear. May masamang intensyon. May malinaw na layunin na patahimikin ang mga tumitindig," she reckoned.
(Many of the posts circulating on social media today cannot be considered opinions. These are part of a deliberate effort to harass, discredit, and instill fear. There is malicious intent. There is a clear objective to silence those who take a stand.)
"Maraming salamat, Nadine, sa tapang at paninindigan. Sa bawat hakbang mo, mas lumalakas ang laban para sa isang makatao, makatarungan, at demokratikong lipunan," De Lima further said.
(Thank you, Nadine, for your courage and resolve. With every step you take, the fight for a humane, just, and democratic society grows stronger.)