Mamamayang Liberal (ML) Partylist first nominee Leila de Lima called on educators and students to rise against oppression, abuse of power, and far-right movements in a bid to defend democracy despite its imperfections.

Mamamayang Liberal Partylist first nominee Leila de Lima talks about social media and democracy during a forum in Butuan City on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. (Photo from ML Partylist)

Speaking to the academe on Wednesday, Feb. 26, during the Association of Catholic Education in Agusan (ACEA) Congress 2025 at the Kim Lope A. Asis Memorial Gymnasium in Bayugan City, Agusan del Sur, the former senator underscored the importance of civic engagement and moral courage in tackling today’s pressing issues.

“Silence is not an option. Remaining silent in the face of abuses is, in fact, complicity,” she said, urging the audience to recognize their responsibility in shaping the nation’s future. “We are facing countless issues in our country today, and staying quiet is simply not an option.”

De Lima, also former chair of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and Department of Justice (DOJ) chief, spoke on the theme “Empowering Education Towards Social Transformation.”

She addressed topics of national concerns, such as the drug war, Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment, the 2025 national budget, and China’s continuous aggression in the West Philippine Sea.

She highlighted the need for active participation in the democratic process, while also warning against the rise of far-right movements and political extremism worldwide.

“I still believe that even if it is imperfect, liberal democracy remains the best system in the world,” she declared. “Maaaring namamatay na unti-unti ang ideyang ito, pero hindi tayo dapat huminto.”

A staunch critic of the Duterte administration, the former senator was detained for nearly seven years on trumped-up charges that linked her to the drug trade.

When asked during the forum about running after those who orchestrated her imprisonment, De Lima said her legal team is preparing to file charges against those responsible as evidence confirms that witnesses were coerced into fabricating testimonies against her.

The former senator, however, was quick to squash the notion that she is out for revenge.

“This is not about vengeance—hindi po ganoon. I’m not a vindictive person. This is about principle and justice,” she stressed.

Power of social media

Meanwhile, in a separate forum on Wednesday, the former official cited the role of social media in disinformation and spreading awareness.

While she did not have access to social media during her imprisonment, De Lima said she was aware of how it was used to vilify and spread false rumors about her.

"Everyday I was reminded of the power of social media, not just to communicate or deceive or spread false narratives, or to attempt to silence people like me," she shared.

"Despite not having access, I became acutely aware of how social media was being used to attack me to vilify my character and to label me as a criminal,” she added during the “Social Media and Democracy Forum” hosted by the Diocese of Butuan Education System (DBES) and the Father Saturnino Urios University (FSUU) in Butuan City also on Wednesday.

But despite the role of social media in the public’s negative perception of her, the former senator still recognized the power it wields to amplify truth, unite people, and counter the spread of falsehoods.

She then called on students and futures leaders to use their platforms meaningfully—by creating online spaces for dialogue and change.

“Napakahalaga po na nauunawaan ninyo ang kalagayan ng mga nasa laylayan. Dapat naiintindihan ninyo na sila ay nasa ganoong kalagayan sa kabila ng dekada ng pagsusumikap na makaahon (It’s very important for you to understand the state of those in the fringes of society. You should understand that they are there despite decades of hardworking to rise from it),” De Lima said.

"Never forget that your online actions can have real-world consequences," she added. "Let us continue to use social media not just to educate, but to unite and fight for a better, more just world."