An article published by foreignpolicy.com claimed that human rights commissioner Chito Gascon said that Filipinos are living in “dangerous times” because President Rodrigo Duterte is leading the country.
He also said the Philippines has started aligning itself towards “popularly elected despots” who use their mandates to undermine institutions and consolidate personal power because of Duterte.
“This is probably the biggest challenge to democracy since the dictatorship. With the election of Mr. Duterte we’re moving away from the post-authoritarian democratic consensus to a period of illiberal democracy.”
“We’re living in dangerous times,” he says.
Gascon said he hopes that those who remain committed to democracy will soon find the strength to push back. But he worries that it may not happen soon enough.
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He also defended Senator Leila de Lima who is being linked to the illegal drug trade inside the National Penitentiary.
“I don’t know if [De Lima] will survive this. I don’t know if I will survive this. The president said in his campaign that ‘change is coming,’ and probably change is here. But to us it actually feels more like winter is coming.”
Recently, the President called all those from the CHR ugly.
Also read: CHR humihingi ng karagdagan 36Million na budget sa kaban ng Bayan!
Source: Foreign Policy