President Aquino vows to protect country’s
sovereignty, territorial integrity and freedom of Filipino citizenry
President Benigno S. Aquino III vowed on
Wednesday that his administration will protect our sovereignty and territorial
integrity and freedom of Filipino citizens at all times.
In his speech during the celebration of the
115th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence at the
Liwasang Bonifacio on P. Burgos St., Manila, the Chief Executive assured his
administration's unwavering commitment and perseverance to hurdle the
challenges of the present times in fulfilling its mandate to protect the
Filipinos’ hard-fought independence.
"Habang nagbabalik-tanaw at binibigyang
halaga natin ang ating kasarinlan, mulat ang pamahalaan sa tungkulin nitong
pangalagaan ang kalayaang ito. Kaya naman naninindigan tayo para sa ating mga
karapatan bilang bansang may sariling soberanya, bilang bayang nagbuwis na ng
buhay para sa kalayaan, bilang Pilipinas na may sariling bandila na kapantay ng
lahat," President Aquino said.
The President said the administration will
defend the territorial sovereignty and integrity through peaceful means.
"Hindi kailanman naging polisiya ng
Pilipinas ang manlamang sa ibang bansa. Kung may di-pagkakasunduan, saksi ang
mundo sa kahandaan nating umupo at makipagdayalogo sa mapayapang paraan,"
he said.
"Wala tayong ibang hinihingi kundi ang
igalang ang ating teritoryo, karapatan, at pagkatao, tulad ng paggalang natin
sa teritoryo, karapatan, at pagkatao ng ibang lahi. Ginagawa natin ito dahil
mulat tayong ito ang susi upang mapanatili ang stabilidad, at nang sa gayon ay
magpatuloy ang pagtungo sa malawakan at pangmatagalang kaunlaran, hindi lamang
sa loob ng ating bansa, kundi sa ating rehiyon, at maging sa buong
daigdig," he stressed.
With the signing of the Revised Armed Forces of
the Philippines (AFP) Modernization Act last December, President Aquino
expressed confidence that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) can now
better perform its mandate of upholding the sovereignty and defending the
territorial integrity of the country at all times.
"Pitumpu’t limang bilyong pisong pondo rin
ang mailalaan natin sa Tanggulang Pambansa sa susunod na limang taon dahil sa
pagsasabatas ng New AFP Modernization Act," he said.
"At habang naninindigan tayo para sa ating
mga karapatan, at nakikipag-ugnayan sa lahat ng panig upang maghari ang hinahon
at pagkakaunawaan, kailangan din nating iangat ang kakayahan ng ating
Sandatahang Lakas. Kasabay nito, kailangan din nating isaalang-alang ang
kapakanan ng milyun-milyong Pilipinong maaaring maapektuhan ng ating mga
desisyon bilang pinuno," he said.
The President also reminded the people of our
patriotic oath to serve our beloved country.
"Si Andres Bonifacio na mismo ang nagsabi,
“Itinuturo ng katuwiran na tayo’y magkaisang-loob, magkaisang-isip at nang
tayo’y magkalakas na maihanap ang naghaharing kasamaan sa ating bayan. Panahon
na ngayong dapat na lumitaw ang liwanag ng katotohanan; panahon ng dapat nating
ipakilala na tayo’y may sariling pagdaramdam, may puri, may hiya, at may
pagdadamayan,” he said.
Meanwhile, Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim said this
was the first time that the celebration was held at Liwasang Bonifacio which
has for its theme "Kalayaan 2013: Ambagan Tungo sa Malawakang
Kaunlaran."
During the event, the Philippine Postal
Corporation presented the commemorative stamp marking the 150th year
anniversary of Malacanang Palace to the Chief Executive.
Also in attendance were Foreign Affairs
Secretary Albert del Rosario, Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel
Roxas, Defense Secretary Voltaire T. Gazmin, Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim,
National Historical Commission of the Philippines Chairperson Maria Serena I.
Diokno, Philippine Postal Corporation Board Chairman Cesar Sarino, Postmaster
and Chief Executive Officer Josefina M. dela Cruz, Metropolitan Manila
Development Authority Chairman Francis Tolentino, Armed Forces of the
Philippines Chief of Staff General Emmanuel Bautista; Police Director General
Alan Purisima, members of the diplomatic corps and other government officials,
among others. PND (js)
Philippine Independence Day calls on all
Filipinos to do their part in nation building
The Philippine Day of Independence, which is
celebrated every 12th of June, should compel all Filipinos to recall the
ultimate sacrifice offered by our heroes and martyr paid for our freedom and do
their part in building an even more progressive nation, President Benigno S.
Aquino III said on Wednesday.
In his toast during the traditional vin
d’honneur commemorating the 115th anniversary of Philippine Independence held
in Malacanang, the President said that by being “productive and responsible
citizens” can we “contribute to making our society truly more just and more
equitable.”
“One hundred and fifteen years ago, our nation
gained its independence, and with it, the sacred responsibility of protecting
and fulfilling the promise of liberty,” the President said.
“Today, as one nation, we reaffirm this commitment.
Just as our heroes and martyrs paid the ultimate price for our freedom, as
Filipinos, each and every one is asked to do his part in building an even more
progressive nation, whether one is in the highest ranks of government, or an
employee in a local company, or an OFW working on distant shores,” he added.
“As we focus our efforts on lifting our nation
to greater heights, let us remember that it is by being productive and
responsible citizens—by performing our tasks to the best of our abilities and
by giving to our fellow men their due—that we contribute to making our society
truly more just and more equitable,” the President further noted. PND (rck)
President Aquino reaffirms vow to become
partners of growth with international community
President Benigno S. Aquino III vowed to the
international community of the Philippines’ continued support towards
strengthening cooperation and promoting dialogue.
In his toast during the traditional vin
d’honneur commemorating the 115th Year Anniversary of Philippine Independence
held in Malacanang on Wednesday, the President affirmed to members of the
diplomatic corps that the Philippines and its people continued to be partners
towards “finding solutions to the challenges that we collectively face.”
“On this day, we also renew our collective
pledge to foster an international environment of positive engagement. Your
Excellencies, as you work to strengthen cooperation and promote dialogue, you
will always find partners in the Filipino people and their government,” the
President said.
He hoped the international community would
reciprocate and continue working with the Philippines in order to realize the
full potential of the Filipino people.
“It is my hope that, as my administration
strives for more meaningful and lasting reform in our country, you will
continue working with us in realizing the full potential of the Filipino people
and in finding solutions to the challenges that we collectively face,” the
President said.
In response Papal Nuncio and Dean of the
Diplomatic Corps His Excellency Archbishop Guiseppe Pinto cited “the excellent
results delivered by the Executive in the economic sphere.”
“We cannot forget, in fact, the most recent
events in the institutional life of the country and the excellent results
delivered by the Executive in the economic sphere, in view of an inclusive
growth by creating employment opportunities and reducing poverty said,” Pinto
said.
“Also appreciated is the progress in the
efficiency of public administration, improvements in healthcare and education,
as well as the efficient allocation of resources,” he added.
Pinto also lauded the government for its efforts
at attaining peace with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front through the signing
of the Bangsamoro Framework Agreement last October 15, 2012.
“The journey towards the full implementation of
the legal instrument, with the anticipated conclusion of annexes, coincides
with the path to a better understanding and intensification of dialogue between
religions and culture,” Pinto said.
“For a future of harmony and collaboration in
the areas covered by the historic agreement, together with my distinguished
colleagues, the Heads of Diplomatic Missions, I would like to renew the most
cordial best wishes to you, Mister President, and to the noble Filipino people
on this happy occasion,” he added. PND (rck)
President Aquino offers toast to the
international community, government workers, OFWs and continued success of the
Filipino people
President Benigno S. Aquino III offered toasts
to the international community, government workers, overseas Filipino workers
and to the continued success of the Filipino people during the traditional vin
d’honneur commemorating the 115th Anniversary of Philippine Independence in
Malacanang on Wednesday.
To the international community, the President
wished for the sustained partnership between all nations in promoting peace,
amity and unity while he hoped for fellow workers in government to remain
faithful to serving our people and our Republic.
For our OFWs, the President expressed hope that
they remain dedicated in their hard work while he hoped that the examples of
our heroes be our guide as we tread the straight path to equitable progress.
“On this note, Your Excellencies, fellow workers
in government, ladies and gentlemen, I ask you to join me in a toast:
"To the continued partnership between all
our nations—may we always endeavor to promote peace, amity, and unity for the
advancement of humankind;
"To my fellow workers in government—may you
remain faithful to serving our people and our republic;
"To our Overseas Filipino Workers, for
their dedication and sacrifice—may their hard work redound and further
contribute to a Philippines that they can come home to with pride and
confidence;
"And to the future and continued success of
the Filipino people—may the examples of our heroes be our guide as we tread the
straight path to equitable progress,” the President said. PND (rck)
President Aquino declares June 20 as special
non-working day in Dagupan City, Pangasinan in celebration of its 66th Charter
Day
President Benigno S. Aquino III has declared
June 20, which falls on a Thursday, as a special (non-working day) in Dagupan
City in the province of Pangasinan in celebration of its 66th Charter Day.
The Chief Executive issued the declaration
through Proclamation No. 591 signed by Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr.
on June 6 to give the people of Dagupan the full opportunity to celebrate and
participate in the occasion with appropriate ceremonies.
On June 20, 1947, two years after the liberation
from the Japanese occupation, Dagupan became a city by virtue of Republic Act
No. 170. PND (js)
Ochoa calls on Filipino people to stand up and
unite to protect the Filipino heroes’ hard-fought independence
Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. called
on the Filipinos to stand up and unite to protect the Filipino heroes’
hard-fought independence.
In his speech during the 115th Anniversary of
the Proclamation of Philippine Independence at the Barasoain Church in Malolos
City, Bulacan on Wednesday, Ochoa reminded the people to remember the
sacrifices of the Filipino hero Andres Bonifacio and other heroes in reclaiming
our freedom from foreign invaders.
"Hindi rin natin dapat kalimutan ang
simulain ng Katipunan na siyang nagsulong ng kalayaan ng Pilipinas noong 1892.
Ngayong taon, ipagdiriwang din natin ang ika-150 taong anibersaryo ng
kapanganakan ng ating bayani na si Andres Bonifacio," Ochoa said.
"Ating bigyang diin ang tuloy-tuloy na
pamana ni Bonifacio at ng mga bayaning Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan – ang
Dangal at Kabayanihan," Ochoa noted.
He called on the entire Filipino nation not to
allow our rights and our freedom to be imperiled again.
"Ang Deklarasyon ng Kalayaan ay binuo ng
pinagsama-samang pangarap, pakikibaka, buhay at dugo ng mga bayani at martir ng
buong sambayanan -- saan mang sulok ng ating Mahal na Bayang Pilipinas!,"
he said.
"Ang araw na ito ay paggigiit ng ating
bayan sa buong mundo na noon pa man ay ibig na nating maging malaya at mamuhay
ng nagsasarili bilang isang tunay na Malayang Bansa," Ochoa noted.
Ochoa also reminded the people of the sacrifices
of our modern heroes who risked their lives to restore democracy by ending the
dictatorship of ousted President Ferdinand Marcos.
"Hindi rin dapat limutin ninuman ang
nagpapatuloy pang kabayanihan ng ating lahi. Mga kabataang lumaban at patuloy
na lumalaban sa katarungang bayan, kaayusang panlipunan at paglaban sa
katiwalian, kurapsyon at pang-aapi, isama na ang kamangmangan at
kahirapan," he said.
"Silang mga ‘di mabilang na bayani ng
bagong panahon ang dahilan upang mahaplos ang diwa’t damdamin ng milyun-milyong
Pilipino na nakibaka sa EDSA noong 1986. Bawat henerasyon ay may kanya-kanyang
taya para sa bayan. Ngunit hindi natin kailangang dumanas ng rebolusyon o
digmaan para lang may lumitaw na mga bayani," he continued.
He said the entire world lauded the Filipinos
for their solidarity in achieving democracy through peaceful means.
The Executive Secretary assured the people that
the government recognizes every citizen has the right to have freedom and
better life.
"Ang pagpapanatili ng kalayaan na may
dignidad sa ating bayan sa pamamagitan ng pag-aangat sa antas ng kabuhayan,
edukasyon, kalusugan, kaunlaran at kaayusang panlipunan ay mga dakilang ambag
nating mga Pilipino upang masabing bayani tayo sa ating napiling kaparaanan.
Ito ang mensahe ng ating pagdiriwang ng kalayaan sa taong ito,“Kalayaan:
Ambagan Tungo sa Malawakang Kaunlaran,” the Executive Secretary said.
He, likewise, emphasized the need for the people
to uphold truth in protecting our independence and freedoom.
"Mga Kababayan: Ang katotohanan ang
mapagpalaya sa kahit sinuman at sa kahit anong bayan. Kung ang katotohanan ay
binabalot ng kamalian o kasinungalingan, tayo ay hindi magkakaroon ng tunay na
kalayaan. Higit na mahalaga na ang ating sagradong kasaysayan bilang Bayang
Pilipinas ay hindi nababahiran ng anumang kamalian," Ochoa concluded.
President Benigno Aquino III led the nation in
celebrating the 115th Independence Day at the Liwasang Bonifacio on P. Burgos
St., Manila.
There were simultaneous flag-raising and wreath
laying ceremonies on the Independence Day at the Liwasang Bonifacio, Manila;
Rizal National Monument, Rizal Park, Manila; General Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine in
Kawit, Cavite; Barasoain Church, Malolos City, Bulacan; Pinaglabanan Memorial
Shrine, San Juan; Mausoleo de los Veteranos de la Revolucion, Manila North
Cemetery; Bonifacio National Monument, Caloocan City and at the Pamintuan
House, in Angeles City, Pampanga. PND (js)
