PRESIDENT Marcos Jr. yesterday said the Philippines will never again be subservient to any external force that would direct its destiny and vowed to lead the country in addressing a “manifold of unfreedoms” hindering its progress such as poverty, inadequate economic opportunities, disabling living conditions, inequality and apathy.
In his Independence Day message, the President also urged Filipinos to remain united, to assert liberty in their daily lives and in everything that they do, and to strive for excellence and integrity in all aspects of their lives.
“We understand better now that liberty will not flourish on its own; freedom will not materialize unless it is declared boldly, believed sincerely, and demonstrated passionately,” Marcos said.
He also said that upholding and promoting the country’s independence is the obligation of every Filipino and not just the government.
The President, accompanied by First Lady Liza Marcos and their sons, Ilocos Norte Rep. Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos, Joseph Simon Marcos and William Vincent Marcos, led the flag-raising ceremony at the Luneta Park in Manila, followed by the wreath-laying at the Rizal Monument and the Independence Day Grand Parade at the Quirino Grandstand.
The 125th anniversary of the Philippine Independence celebration has the theme “Kalayaan. Kinabukasan. Kasaysayan.”
Similar calls were also made by Vice President Sara Duterte, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, and Speaker Martin Romualdez.
In a separate speech during the Grand Parade, Marcos said it is an honor for him to lead the celebration that recognized the sacrifices, bravery and achievements of Filipinos and national heroes that led to the freedom the country enjoys today.
In his first Independence Day address as the President, Marcos said the present and future generations owe the Filipino forebearers a debt of gratitude for their sacrifices and efforts.
“The heroes of our liberation would be proud to know that we have thrown off the ‘ominous yoke of domination;’ never again to be subservient to any external force that directs or determines our destiny. We have stayed the course and adhered to their ideals for our free and independent country: popular, representative, and responsible,” he said.
He said over the years, Filipinos had adhered to the national heroes’ ideals of a free and independent country and now enjoy a healthy and vibrant Republic with the establishment of a stable government whose mandate and authority ultimately emanate from and are owed to the Filipino people, and a government “peopled by men and women of laws.”
The President said Filipinos should remain united and support the government in its efforts to uphold the country’s independence; address and remove “unfreedoms” such as poverty and hunger, inequality and inadequate economic opportunities; and eventually achieve progress.
“I appeal for unity and solidarity in our efforts to perfect our hard-fought freedom and achieve genuine national progress. Heeding this call will indispensably require patriotism and a strong sense of community, diligence, industry, and responsibility from all our citizens,” Marcos said, adding that it is everyone’s obligation to support and maintain a free and independent republic.
He vowed to implement “wise policies” that will foster a highly conducive and enabling environment that would allow for the full development of the Filipino.
He said among these policies is the Philippine Development Plan which will be implemented with vigor and consistency for the next six years.
“As integral actors in our democracy, we are all involved in this collective pursuit of real freedoms. That duty rests with all of us,” he added.
SARA’S CALL
Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte asked the nation to support the education sector to help the youth break free from the risks posed by armed struggle.
“Let us rally behind our education sector to enable our children and youth to break free from the dangers of armed struggle so that they can realize their full potential and serve as agents of positive change in society,” Duterte said.
“The painstaking years of martyrdom are an inspiration to continue pushing for inclusive development that will remove Filipinos from poverty, insurgency, drug addiction, and other threats to national security,” she added.
She also expressed her gratitude to the “modern-day” heroes battling for the country’s freedom from terrorism, criminality, corruption, and local communism.
Duterte is currently in Brunei in her capacity as President of the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (Seameo) Council.
During the visit, which will end on June 13, Duterte is expected to meet Prince Al-Muhtadee Billah ibni, and Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah, the Crown Prince of Brunei Darussalam, to discuss affairs of mutual concern for the Philippines and Brunei Darussalam.
Duterte assumed the Presidency of the Seameo Council during the 52nd Seameo Voctech Council Conference hosted by the Philippines in Manila last February.
She took over from Chan Chun Sing, Minister of Education of Singapore who served as Seameo Secretariat President from 2021 to 2022.
Duterte will also serve for a two-year term.
SENATE PLEDGE
Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri assured the Senate will continue to craft measures to ensure the Filipino people will be free from the bonds of hunger and poverty.
“Rest assured that the Senate will continue to uphold and protect the freedom of the country and every Filipino — freedom to sustain a peaceful democracy and freedom from hunger and poverty,” Zubiri said in his Independence Day message.
Zubiri called on the Filipino people to be one in pouring their resources into attaining development as the nation takes pride in the freedom the country attained 125 years ago.
Senate majority leader Joel Villanueva said the Filipino people should not forget the sacrifices made by the people who fought for the country’s freedom.
“I hope that Independence Day will continue to serve as an inspiration for the Filipino people to unite as one for the country,” Villanueva said.
Sen. Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada said the celebration of Independence Day should serve as a reaffirmation of the country’s commitment to upholding values, liberty, justice, and equality.
“It is through our collective effort and unity that we can continue to build a prosperous and inclusive society for all Filipinos,” Estrada said.
Estrada also took the opportunity to “pledge to continue” to champion the cause of the workers by assuring his full support in advancing their rights and to push for policies “that foster a fair and equitable labor environment.”
He also reminded the government to address the issues involving the country’s sovereignty and regional stability.
“As a nation, we have always valued diplomacy and peaceful dialogue as the means to address conflicts. While we navigate these challenging times, let us not forget the importance of unity among ourselves. We must stand together, transcending political differences, to protect our territorial integrity and safeguard our national interests,” he said.
“Our diversity is our strength and it is through unity that we can assert our rightful place in the international community,” he added.
SPIRIT OF NATIONALISM
Speaker Martin Romualdez urged Filipinos to” awaken the spirit of heroism in them and help our country overcome present challenges as a gesture of gratitude to our heroes who laid down their lives to secure for us our freedom.”
“We’ll not be able to pave the way to a better future without looking back at the road taken by the past generations. We owe them the freedom we have now,” Romualdez said in his message after leading the wreath-laying ceremony at the Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan City.
Romualdez said we still need heroes, like Bonifacio, in the present generation although they may not need to take up arms and fight for liberty.
He said the fight for our country’s freedom is not just against foreign invaders but also to free our people from the shackles of poverty and hunger.
Expressing thanks on behalf of the House of Representatives for the privilege to be part of the historic occasion, Romualdez also vowed to do his part in the effort to uplift the lives of Filipinos.
Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo said power should be used not only to protect and safeguard the country’s independence but also to free it from poverty, ignorance and injustice.
Gesmundo made the call in his message during the 125th Independence Day rites at the Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan.
“Power should be used to protect our independence as well as its wider and significant meaning — freedom not only from colonizers but freedom also from hunger, poverty and injustice,” Gesmundo said during the rites attended by Sandiganbayan Associate Justices Maria Theresa Mendoza-Arcega and Lorifel Lacap Pahimna and Bulacan trial court judges.
Also present were Bulacan Gov. Daniel Fernando and Vice Gov. Alexis Castro, Malolos City Mayor Christian Natividad and Vice Mayor Miguel Alberto Bautista, National Historical Commission of the Philippines representative Rosario Sapitan, and other local government officials.
Gesmundo said freedom and its benefits should be enjoyed by all and that if power resides with the people, then it follows that its use should be for their greater benefit.
The chief justice also noted that it was fitting for the head of the Judiciary to commemorate the 125th Independence Day at the Barasoain Church, where the first Philippine Constitution was drafted–the first republican constitution in all of Asia.
He added the Malolos Constitution outlined our principles as a nation and, most importantly, recognized and emphasized that sovereignty and absolute power rest in the hands of the people.
“With absolute power and sovereignty residing in them, the people must use these to guard and protect our freedom and independence at all costs,” he added.
He said that the Judiciary strives to fulfill its duty, particularly through the implementation of the Supreme Court’s Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027 (SPJI).
The SPJI, according to Gesmundo is the High Court’s contribution to bridging and building a progressive future, not just for the Judiciary but for the whole country, adding that it is aligned with the purpose of the Malolos Constitution and the Constitutions that followed.
FLYBY CALLED OFF
The Armed Forces canceled the flyby of aircraft during yesterday’s celebration of the 125th anniversary of the country’s independence due to inclement weather.
“We apologize to everyone, especially to those who were at the venue and those watching through the live broadcast, that due to inclement weather, the aircraft flyby for the Independence Day did not push through,” said AFP public affairs chief Lt. Col. Enrico Gil Ileto.
Twenty-six aircraft were supposed to be showcased during the celebration, including two A-29B Super Tucano light attack aircraft of the Air Force.
“Be it known that our aircraft can fly in inclement weather when the operational condition necessitates. However, aircraft flying in formation during inclement weather compounds the risk that our aviators must take,” said Ileto.
“This time the risks outweigh the benefits of doing a flyby. We appreciate your support for your Armed Forces,” Ileto said.
Ileto said the civic-military parade pushed through as scheduled, involving 3,000 personnel from the AFP, PNP, Philippine Coast Guard and Bureau of Jail Management. — Wit Ashzel Hachero, Raymond Africa, Wendell Vigilia and Victor Reyes
