Sara's comparison of Rody to Ninoy draws more flak

Former senator Leila de Lima has condemned Vice President Sara Duterte's remarks comparing her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, to former senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr.

- JOSE RODEL CLAPANO

Unlike the former president, De Lima said the courage displayed by Aquino was for "the country, democracy and Filipinos," unlike her father's actions.

"Ninoy Aquino returned to the Philippines knowing it could cost him his life. His courage was for the country, for democracy and for the Filipino people," she said in a statement.

De Lima was reacting to the Vice President's remarks that her father could suffer the same fate as Ninoy if he returned to the country.

"He really wants to come home. I told him, 'Pa, if you go home, that will be the end of your life. You'll be like Ninoy Aquino Jr.,'" the Vice President told Duterte supporters in The Hague.

De Lima called this statement a "desperate attempt to escape accountability" and stressed that "justice isn't swayed by melodrama, only by truth. And history will always know the difference."

Her remarks add to the growing backlash from various lawmakers and advocates, including ACT Teachers party-list Rep. France Castro and nominee Antonio Tinio, who called the comparison a "grave insult" to the memory of Aquino and all victims of martial law.

"Ninoy fought against the Marcos dictatorship that killed thousands of Filipinos, while Duterte himself has the blood of thousands on his hands through his brutal drug war. Have some shame!" she said.