Aquino urges rekindling of love for country,
pledges to uphold the Constitution and defend it from abuse
MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan: President Benigno S.
Aquino III urged the people to preserve the spirit of love for country and the
principles of the national heroes saying that the real essence of freedom and
independence lie on cooperating with the government in its efforts to address
the various social issues which will free the nation from corruption, hunger
and injustice.
In his speech during the 114th Philippine
Independence Day celebration at the historic Barasoain Church here, Tuesday,
President Aquino assured to uphold the Philippine Constitution and defend it
from unscrupulous individuals who are engaged in pursuing personal motives
rather than the interest of the country and the people.
“Makakamtan lamang ang tunay na kalayaan kung
handa ang bawa’t isa sa atin na magkakalyo ang talampakan at diligan ng dugo at
pawis ang ating lupang sinilangan… taas noo rin tayong maglakbay tungo sa isang
Pilipinas na malaya hindi lamang sa pang-gigipit ng mga dayuhan kundi lalo na
sa korapsyon, gutom at kawalang katarungan… buwagin natin ang bartolina ng
kadamutan at pagkakanya-kanya. Kumalag tayo mula sa tanikala ng pagbabatuhang
sisi at pagwawalang bahala, ito ang kahulugan ng tunay na kalayaan,” the
President said.
“Tangan ang mandato ng Saligang Batas, hindi na
natin hahayaang bukbukin, dungisan at gamitin ito ng kahit na sinuman para
lamang manlamang sa kapwa at magpakasasa sa kapangyarihan. Ito ang ipinapaalala
sa atin ng Barasoain Church,” he added.
The Chief Executive also assured the
government’s commitment to implement developmental programs and reforms that
will enrich the lives of the people and sustain the country’s progress.
“Ngayon pong naka-buwelo na ang ating bayan sa
tuwid na landas, hindi natin hahayaan pang maligaw tayo sa dilim ng nakaraan
gaya ng nakasaad sa Saligang Batas. Sa taumbayan nag-uugat ang lakas ng ating
bayan kaya’t makatarungan lamang na sila rin ang makikinabang sa bunga ng ating
mga pagsisikap," the Chief Executive said noting the importance of the
event in pursuing and maintaining the democracy of the nation.
Present during the event were members of the
cabinet led by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., Foreign Affairs Secretary
Albert del Rosario, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Social Welfare and
Development Secretary Corazon Soliman, Energy Secretary Jose Rene Almendras,
Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, Communications and Strategic Planning
Office Secretary Ramon ‘Carandang, Technical Education and Skills Development
Authority Secretary Joel Villanueva and Metro Manila Development Authority
Chairman Francis Tolentino.
Also in attendance were members of the
Diplomatic Corps, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Jessie
Dellosa, Philippine National Police Chief Director General Nicanor Bartolome,
National Historical Commission of the Philippines Chairperson Maria Serena
Diokno, Bulacan governor Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado, Bulacan vice governor Daniel
Fernando, Bulacan District 1 Representative Ma. Victoria Sy-Alvarado and
Malolos City Mayor Christian Natividad.
During the celebration anchored on this year’s
theme, “Kalayaan: Pananagutan ng Bayan Para sa Tuwid na Daan," the
President led the flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremonies which were held
simultaneously at the Rizal Monument in Manila, led by Vice President Jejomar
Binay; at the Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite led by Transportation
and Communications Secretary Manuel ‘Roxas II; and at the Bonifacio National
Monument in Caloocan City led by Justice Secretary Leila de Lima.
Barasoain Church which is also known as the
Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, was the Cradle of Democracy in
the East for its proverbial importance in the country’s quest for independence
in the 1890s.
It was proclaimed National Shrine through
Presidential Decree No. 260 on August 1, 1973 in recognition of its
significance in Philippine history.
Founded by Augustinian Missionaries in 1859, the
Barasoain Church is renowned for its architectural design and internal
adornments. It holds the distinction for having hosted the Malolos Congress,
which was convened on September 15, 1898; the drafting of the Malolos
Constitution on September 29, 1898 to January 1, 1899; and the inauguration of
the First Philippine Republic on January 23, 1899. (jcl/11:00 a.m.)
President Aquino reaffirms commitment to work
for the good of the country
President Benigno S. Aquino III reaffirmed his
and his administration’s commitment to double efforts at implementing
government reforms in order to effect tangible and real benefits that can and
will be felt by each and every Filipino in all aspects of their lives.
In his toast at the Vin d’ honneur commemorating
the 114th Year Anniversary of Philippine Independence held in Malacañang on Tuesday,
the President said this deep responsibility to ensure that this liberty and its
benefits be felt by all Filipinos was entrusted to us by our forefathers whose
courageous actions eventually led to our independence.
“Today, the Filipino holds his head high. On
this, the 114th anniversary of our proclamation of independence, we mark our
freedom at a time of renewed hope and optimism—a time in which the promises of
reform and hard work are becoming tangible realities for each and every
Filipino,” the President said.
“Today, we renew our commitment to work for the
good of the country. And it falls on us—from those of us in government to our
countrymen on the streets of our cities—to work together so we can realize our
shared goals,” he added.
He called on all Filipinos and the international
community to join government in realizing this unifying goal sooner than later.
“Prosperity cannot come in isolation; it
requires cooperation, where we solve problems together, and build a dynamic
milieu together. Just as our administration has pledged a policy of
constructive, responsible, engagement with the world, so too, do we ask all
nations, to work with us, to achieve the fullest potential of all our peoples,”
the President said.
To symbolize his government’s commitment to work
for the good of the people, he enjoined those present composed of lawmakers,
government officials, businessmen and members of the diplomatic corps, to a
toast:
“In a world where the challenges of today may
compel nations to look inwards: let us resolve to work together in amity and in
peace;
To my fellow workers in government—may the
ideals of accountability, transparency, and genuine compassion remain our guide
as we tread the straight and righteous path;
To the ingenuity and achievements of the
Filipino people—may our countrymen continue to enjoy success in arenas the
world over;
And to the future of the Republic of the
Philippines—may our combined efforts help us bring our country to even greater
heights,” the President said.
In response, Papal Nuncio and Dean of the
Diplomatic Corps Archbishop Guiseppe Pinto expressed his gratification at being
able to join Filipinos in celebration of their 114th year of Independence as he
expressed his and the diplomatic corps’ sentiments of affection and friendship.
He cited the Philippine flag which he said
symbolizes the founding values of the Filipino people: brotherhood, peace,
justice, freedom and sovereignty.
“After more than a century, even in a period of
crisis, which extends to almost every country in the world, the same ethical
and civil principles constitute a sure point of reference in dealing with the
political, social and economic challenges emerging not only within the boarders
of the Republic but also in the regional and the global milieu,” Pinto said.
(rck)
