We welcome President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s grant of an absolute pardon to Mary Jane, a long-awaited act that brings immeasurable relief to her, her family, and all those who stood with her through the years.

As we honor those who resisted the dictatorship, we must dismantle the legal infrastructure that carries its authoritarian habits into the present.

At approximately 6:00 a.m. today, staff at Jollikod, a local eatery in Legazpi City owned by the family of Atty. Bartolome “Bart” Rayco, discovered two bullets ominously left at the entrance. The bullets were bound with black ribbons, one tethered to a piece of stone wrapped in paper and plastic. The paper contained a threatening message that read: “Atty. Bart Rayco MALAPIT KA NA!!” (Atty. Bart Rayco, your end is near!!!). Earlier, witnesses reported seeing unidentified men on a motorcycle stop outside the premises at around 4:00 a.m.