We will all pay for Duterte's destructive governance - De Lima

Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has urged Mr. Duterte to stop his destructive governance for the last three years of his one-time, six-year administration in order to minimize the damage that his regime caused to the nation.

This was De Lima's plea to Duterte on his second half of his six-year term, the first half of which was infamous for the rampant extrajudicial killings and excesses, especially on poor Filipinos, due to his sham war against illegal drugs.

"He should stop in his destructive governance in order to minimize the damage that his administration has already caused. He should stop his mismanagement," said De Lima, the staunchest critic of the administration's bloody war on drugs and human rights abuses.

The lady Senator from Bicol stressed that it would be best for the country if Duterte steps down from his post and faces justice for the thousands of killings during his watch.

"Better still, he should help resolve a lot of the problems he has created the past three years by simply resigning and facing justice," said De Lima, adding that Duterte "should stop his madness."

In an earlier statement, the former justice secretary expressed her dismay over the first three years of Duterte, who she describes as a murderer and a traitor to his own people for his loyalty to China.

"No one can be satisfied with this government as long as there is no justice served for the thousands murdered in the drug war and as long as Duterte remains loyal to China and not the Philippines," she said.

De Lima also underscored the irreparable damage that Duterte inflicted on the country's social fabric and its vital institutions during his reign, saying Filipinos will have to eventually pay for his sins.

"In the end, we will all pay for the six years (and even more) that Duterte has spent destroying this nation," said De Lima, the most prominent and vocal critic of the Duterte's sham campaign against illegal drugs.

Considered as the most prominent political prisoner in the country today, De Lima has maintained her innocence from all the obviously trumped-up charges fabricated by the administration using perjured and coerced witnesses to silence her.