Vergara who belonged to the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) said she voted against the budget slash because, “I believe that CHR is a very important body in our democracy.”
She denied receiving pressure from any come, even from the super majority.
“Personally I didn’t feel any pressure. I don’t know the other representatives,” Vergara said.
Asked if she feels the possible adverse effects of voting against the majority, Vergara said, “ Sa awa naman ng Diyos, hindi ko nakikita ‘yun.”
Vergara said she learned the history of CHR creation and found the agency as vital in a democratic government.
Vergara said she stood up quoting from Martin Niemoller, a staunch critic of the Nazi, that that resonates with her: “When they came for the social democrats, I did not speak up because I was not a social democrat. Then they came for the trade unionists, I did not speak up because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came from the Jews, I did not speak up because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak for me.”
