The situation, in brief
“Huwag po tayong mapagod na mahalin, piliin, at ipaglaban ang Pilipinas”—with these words, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued his appeal to Filipinos at the 128th Independence Day rites on Friday, urging the nation to choose the common good over the interests of the few. Speaking before…
“Huwag po tayong mapagod na mahalin, piliin, at ipaglaban ang Pilipinas”—with these words, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued his appeal to Filipinos at the 128th Independence Day rites on Friday, urging the nation to choose the common good over the interests of the few.
Speaking before government officials, the diplomatic corps, and military and police chiefs at the Independence Day rites, Marcos said the country’s history holds lessons that must guide the present and the future.
“Ang ating kasaysayan ay nagturo sa atin na sa pagkakaisa lamang makakamit ang kasarinlan; na ang tunay na mga pinuno ay yaong nagsasakripisyo ng sariling interes para sa ikabubuti ng bayan; na ang kalayaan ay dapat na inaalagaan,” he said.
More than a century after independence, Marcos said serious challenges remain.
“Nandiyan ang mga katiwalian, pagkakanya-kanya, at kahirapan. Nandiyan din ang mga pandaigdig na kaganapan at banta ng tinatawag na climate change at kalikasan,” he said.
Despite these, the President said his faith in the Filipino people remains firm.
“Nananatili ang aking paniniwala at pag-asa sa galing, sipag, at kabutihan ng ating lahi—ng lahing Pilipino,” Marcos said.
“Ito ang aking panawagan: huwag po tayong mapagod na mahalin, piliin, at ipaglaban ang Pilipinas. Ipalalim natin ang ating kamalayan, maging mapanuri sa katotohanan. Gamitin natin sa tama ang ating kakayahan, hindi sa masama. Lumaban nang patas sa araw-araw, huwag pagsamantalahan ang pinagpaguran ng iba, at piliin natin ang ikabubuti ng bayan laban sa interes ng iilan.”
The President also reminded Filipinos that the peace and freedom the country enjoys today came at a price.
“Tandaan natin na ang kapayapaan, kasarinlan, at kalayaan na ating tinatamasa sa ngayon ay tinubos ng dugo ng mga nauna sa atin,” Marcos said.
The rites were held at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila, attended by Senate President Pro Tempore Sherwin Gatchalian, House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III, Manila City Mayor Isko Moreno, AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner, and members of the diplomatic corps.
