President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led the country in commemorating the 127th anniversary of Philippine Independence on Thursday, urging Filipinos to safeguard freedom through accountability, vigilance, and service in the spirit of a “Bagong Pilipinas.”
For her part, Vice President Sara Duterte said; “We did not gain freedom just to suffer.”
Meanwhile, Senate President Francis Escudero, who attended the Independence Day rites at the Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan, said he believes Filipinos can overcome the challenges hounding the country at the moment.
In a related development, Speaker Martin Romualdez paid tribute to the Filipinos who stood up against colonialism and “fought for our right to live in freedom and dignity” in his message for the 127th Philippine Independence Day.
Before a crowd of diplomats, government officials, and ordinary citizens gathered at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila, the President paid tribute to the heroes of the 1898 revolution and warned against complacency in defending the country’s democratic ideals.
“Freedom is not just something that we inherit, but a right that we must protect every single day,” Marcos said.
“The true enemy of freedom is indifference—indifference to the people’s plight, to our fellow citizens, and to the welfare of our nation,” he added.
The Chief Executive honored the national heroes including Jose Rizal, Andres Bonifacio, Apolinario Mabini, and countless others who sacrificed for the country’s independence from colonial rule.
Marcos reflected on the nation’s journey through global wars, oil crises, and globalization challenges, he said, that tested and ultimately strengthened the Republic.
“In Bagong Pilipinas, giving your opinion is not a crime. Criticism is not wrong. It gives life and brilliance to our democracy,” Marcos said.
He emphasized the importance of truth in an age of misinformation, warning that disinformation and fake news pose serious threats to democratic values.
“Let us be vigilant. Seek the truth. Fight lies. Choose to stand firm, especially when others go astray,” he said.
He called on public officials to rise to the peopleÂ’s expectations for responsive governance, citing issues such as poor infrastructure, high food prices, and unreliable electricity.
“Accountability. That is the cry of the people,” he said.
Marcos also framed public service as a direct path to making freedom tangible. “Filipinos will feel freedom more if thereÂ’s food on the table, reliable transportation, access to medicine, and dignity in work.”
Also in attendance were the Cabinet secretaries, lawmakers, outgoing Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna, National Historical Commission chair Regalado Jose Jr., and First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos.
The President reminded Filipinos that the country’s hard-earned freedom must never be taken for granted, urging everyone to defend it against all forms of oppression, corruption, and indifference.
In her Independence Day message, Duterte paid tribute to Filipino heroes whose sacrifices and love for the country paved the way for the nation’s liberty.
“The freedom we enjoy today is the result of the genuine and selfless love of our Filipino heroes for our country, and their brave stand against foreign oppression,” she said in a video statement.
Duterte emphasized that celebrating Independence Day is not just about marking freedom, but also about upholding the duty to protect and preserve it at all times.
“To embrace the culture of servitude is to desecrate the memory of our heroes,” she added.
The Vice President pointed out that among the threats to freedom today are abuse and corruption in government, the drug menace, problems in education, as well as poverty and hunger.
“We did not gain freedom only for our country to fall into suffering. We did not gain freedom only to lose our rights again and become slaves to a few,” Duterte stressed.
She called on Filipinos to reject those who betray the public trust and to continue defending the country’s freedom and future.
Unfortunately, Escudero, who is acting as presiding judge of the Senate impeachment court, said the discord among the people is apparent, and instead of increasing unity efforts and trusting the process, are fighting over political issues.
“Instead of uniting towards a paradise that our countrymen aspire to, we are trying to fight with our fellow Filipinos whom we seem to love watching and experiencing,” Escudero said in his speech in Filipino.
“Unity is the key to progress, harmony is the path to true change in our country. And if only the combined strength of the young and the old, educated or not, with or without appearance, regardless of gender, is true harmony. I see no reason why we cannot overcome any challenge and trial that destiny is currently throwing at us,” the Senate leader said.
Escudero further expressed hope that as the country celebrates the 127th anniversary of the declaration of the country’s independence in 1898, Filipinos will exercise political maturity.
“Our country is old, more than a hundred years old. We no longer have reason to say that we are young and that we are just practicing. Hopefully, instead of trying to repeat the mistakes of the previous generation, we can learn from our history,” the Senate chief said.
“Their bravery laid the foundation for the sovereign and democratic nation we uphold today,” said Romualdez in a statement released on June 12.
He noted that Independence Day is not only a remembrance of our past, but is also a call to strengthen our present and secure our future. It reminds us that freedom must be protected, nurtured, and used to uplift the lives of every Filipino.
“The House of Representatives joins the entire nation in reaffirming our collective duty to preserve the ideals of our forebears. Through laws that uphold democracy… we continue the work they began more than a century ago,” Romualdez said.
The seasoned legislator reiterated his support for the ‘Bagong Pilipinas’ vision of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. in pursuit of “reforms grounded in transparency, accountability and service.”
“We believe that true independence means giving our people not only the liberty to dream, but also the tools to achieve those dreams,” Romualdez said.
“Let this day inspire us to stand united, to act with purpose, and to serve with integrity. The spirit of our heroes lives on in every effort to build a nation that is free, just and strong,” he added.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “Marcos marks Independence Day with call for accountability, vigilance”
