MANILA, Philippines — A European network of civil society organizations bestowed an award to Sen. Risa Hontiveros for her contributions to social justice and solidarity. The opposition lawmaker received the Silver Rose Award from SOLIDAR, a Belgium-based network of non-governmental organizations “working to advance social justice in Europe and worldwide.”The Silver Rose Award is given to civil society organizations and individuals “whose extraordinary struggles contribute greatly to social justice and solidarity throughout the world.”. In her acceptance speech, Hontiveros said that the award serves as a reminder and a challenge. “It is a reminder that victory can be achieved in the midst of such terrible circumstances. “It is not enough that the drug war has been tainted by the blood of innocent children; now the government wants to institutionalize a policy that will cast them to an unforgiving criminal justice system,” she said.

Source: Philippine Star January 31, 2019 07:57 UTC