Aquino leads National Heroes Day rites at
Libingan ng mga Bayani
President Benigno S. Aquino III led the nation
in commemorating the National Heroes Day in ceremonies held at the Libingan ng
mga Bayani in Taguig City on Monday.
In keeping with this year’s theme: “Pilipinong
Tapat, Magiting at Makabayan: Ikaw ang Bayani sa Tuwid na Daan,” the President
paid homage to the known, un-sung and modern-day heroes by honoring their
patriotism and valor, which he said, has been a shining example of selflessness
and love for country worth emulating by all Filipinos.
“Taun-taon, nagbubuklod tayo upang gunitain ang
kadakilaan ng mga bayaning Pilipino; hindi lamang ang mga ninuno nating
napatayuan ng monumento, hindi lamang ang mga bidang nakalimbag sa aralin at
libro; kundi maging ang mga indibidwal na wala mang pangalang nakaukit sa
tanso, ay nakiambag upang makamit natin ang kalayaan, kapayapaan, at kaunlarang
tinatamasa natin sa kasalukuyan,” the President said.
“Iniaalay din natin ang okasyong ito sa mga
bayaning nabigo man sa laban ay nanindigan pa rin sa katuwiran, at binigyan
tayo ng magandang halimbawa upang gawin ang tama. Dahil higit sa anumang bagay,
sinusukat ang ating tagumpay hindi sa yaman, sa dami ng medalya o sa
katanyagan, kundi sa ating prinsipyo, at sa halaga ng ating nagawa para
maiangat ang ating kapwa,” he added.
The President pointed out though that not all
heroes are those who bravely fought and died for our motherland in the historic
battles and are now etched in history books but also those who have given their
time selflessly in the name of service.
“Pero napatunayan din nating hinuhubog ang
bayani hindi lang sa husay sa pakikidigma, pagharap sa bala o sa pagdidilig ng
sariling dugo sa lupang sinilangan. Maipapamalas din ito sa pagsasantabi ng
sariling interes, at sa paggawa ng tama nang walang hinahangad na kapalit o
pagkilala,” the President said.
He noted that the Filipino citizenry have
witnessed the heroism and valor of these modern-day heroes who were
instrumental in helping our fellow Filipinos affected by the torrential rains
brought about by typhoon Gener and the southwest monsoon recently.
“Nasaksihan natin ang ganitong kabayanihan sa
marami nating kababayan–pulis, sundalo, kawani ng gobyerno, pati na karaniwang
Pilipino–nang humagupit si Gener at ang Habagat na nagdulot ng malawakang baha
sa iba’t ibang bahagi ng Luzon,” the President said.
“Libu-libo ang rumesponde upang saklolohan ang
sinalanta ng kalamidad. Hindi man alam ang pangalan o hindi man kaanu-ano ang
tinulungan, isinugal nila ang buhay upang magmalasakit sa nangangailangan,” he
stressed.
The President called on all Filipinos to emulate
these modern-day heroes for the Filipino bayanihan spirit will continue for
generations to come.
“Maliit man o malaki, sikat man o hindi, mayroon
kang maiaambag—at sa ngalan ng bayan at kapwa, kailangan mong gawin ang iyong
magagawa,” the President said.
“Ang mabuti mong halimbawa, manganganak pa ng
mas maraming bayani; ang nag-iisa, dadami, upang tuluyan nating makamit ang
ating mga hangarim,” he said.
Celebrated every last Monday of August as provided
for by Republic Act No. 9492 and reinforced through Proclamation No. 295 signed
by President Aquino in December 2011, National Heroes Day commemorates the Cry
of Pugad Lawin, the fight for the country’s liberation from Spain by Filipino
revolutionaries led by Gat. Andres Bonifacio 116 years ago. (rck)
Aquino confident new Chief Justice will renew
Filipino people's trust and belief in the judicial system
President Benigno S. Aquino III expressed
confidence that the Filipino people’s trust and belief in the judicial system
will be renewed and further strengthened with the appointment of new Chief
Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno at the Supreme Court.
The Chief Executive expressed his thoughts in
his speech keynoting the commemoration of National Heroes Day at the Libingan
ng mga Bayani in Taguig City on Monday.
Sereno, the youngest and first female Chief
Justice of the Supreme Court, was appointed by President Aquino on August 16
and took her oath of office before him last Saturday, August 25 in Malacañang.
“Umaasa akong titimbangin mo ang iyong hatol at
pasya upang manumbalik ang kompiyansa ng taumbayan sa institusyong iyong
pamumunuan,” the President said.
“Ang atas sa iyo ng taumbayan: pairalin ang
patas na sistemang pangkatarungan; wala dapat itong kilingan, mayaman man o
mahirap, karaniwang Pilipino man o nasa kapangyarihan,” he added.
The President assured Chief Justice Sereno of
his administration as well as the people’s support in dispensing her job as
chief magistrate of the highest court of the land.
“Sa ating bagong Punong Mahistrado--- Huwag kang
mawalan ng loob sakaling dumagsa ang mga pagsubok na kailangan mong pasanin;
makakaasa kang kasangga mo ang sambayanang Pilipino,” the President said. (rck)
Aquino declares September 1 as special
non-working day in Cotabato in celebration of it's 98th Foundation Day
President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared
September 1, which falls on a Saturday, as a special (non-working) day in the
province of Cotabato in celebration of its 98th Foundation Day.
The Chief Executive issued the declaration
through Proclamation No. 449 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr.
on Aug. 9, to give the people of Cotabato the full opportunity to celebrate and
participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies.
On September 1, 1914, Cotabato became a province
by virtue of the Philippine Commission Act No. 2408. (js)
Aquino confers the Philippine Legion of Honor
(posthumous) on the late DILG Secretary Robredo Tuesday
President Benigno S. Aquino III will confer on
Tuesday the Philippine Legion of Honor with the Rank of Chief Commander
(posthumous) on Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo, who died
in a plane crash off the coast of Masbate on August 18.
The Philippine Legion of Honor is considered the
highest award the President can bestow on an individual without the need for
approval of Congress.
Secretary Robredo is being conferred the
Philippine Legion of Honor for his achievement as Secretary of the Department
of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and as Mayor of Naga City,
according to Bulletin No. 11 released by the Committee on Funeral Arrangements
and Burial of the late DILG Secretary.
On Monday, the casket bearing the remains of the
late Secretary Robredo was brought to the Basilica Minore de Nuestra Señora de
Peñafrancia from Naga City Hall. The funeral cortege went around Naga City en
route to the Basilica where the Philippine National Police (PNP) rendered
arrival honors.
The public viewing and vigil will continue until
5 p.m. when a Pontifical High Mass is officiated by His Excellency Leonardo
Zamora Legazpi, O.P., Archbishop of Nueva Caceres. After the mass, the public
viewing and vigil will resume, until 8 a.m. Tuesday, August 28.
After the Concelebrated Requiem Mass, the
President will confer on Secretary Robredo the Philippine Legion of Honor with
the rank of Chief Commander.
Budget and Management Secretary Florencio B.
Abad will read the citation during the conferment ceremonies. The insignia will
be presented by President Aquino to Lawyer Leni Robredo, widow of the late
Secretary.
"The President will deliver a eulogy for Secretary
Robredo, after which the casket will be brought out of the Basilica by casket
bearers from the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the
Philippines (AFP), accompanied by members of the Cabinet as designated honorary
pallbearers of the family," the bulletin said.
After the conferment ceremonies, Secretary
Robredo’s remains will be transported to the Funeraria Imperial for the state
funeral.
The bulletin said the departure honors and a
19-gun salute will be rendered by the AFP while the national anthem is played
at the Basilica.
"The casket will be loaded onto the hearse,
after which the funeral cortege will proceed to the Funeraria Imperial. A PNP
band and four platoons (from the PNP and the three service branches of the
Armed Forces of the Philippines) will accompany the funeral cortege, preceding
the hearse. Alongside the hearse will be the members of the Cabinet on foot
serving as the Honorary Pallbearers," the bulletin said
"Following the hearse will be the
President, Mrs. Robredo, and her children; followed by the late Secretary’s
brother and sister; with other relatives, government officials, and other
attendees.
The distance to be covered by the funeral
cortege is 750 meters, with an estimated marching time of 40 minutes," the
bulletin said.
At the crematorium, a three-volley salute will
be rendered by the PNP. It will be followed by the playing of Taps rendered by
the AFP.
Following the playing of Taps, the National Flag
will be taken off the casket and folded by the PNP-AFP casket bearers, and
handed over to the President. The President shall then present the folded
National Flag to Lawyer Leni Robredo, marking the conclusion of the State
Funeral. (js)
