President Aquino leads commemoration of 116th
Philippine Independence Day
NAGA CITY, Camarines Sur) President Benigno S.
Aquino III on Thursday led the flag-raising and wreath-laying rites held at the
Plaza Quince Martires in this province to commemorate the 116th Philippine
Independence Day.
Plaza Quince Martires was chosen by the National
Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), with the President’s approval,
as the venue for this year’s Independence Day celebration to honor the 15
Martyrs of Bicol whose travails helped ignite the revolution in 1896.
Taking off from the Independence Day theme of
“Pagsunod sa Yapak ng mga Dakilang Pilipino, Tungo sa Malawakan at Permanenteng
Pagbabago," President Aquino paid tribute to the country’s martyred
heroes, who sacrificed their lives to free the Filipinos from the oppression of
Spanish conquerors, leading to the proclamation of the country’s independence
and the declaration of the First Philippine Republic.
“Ngayong Araw ng Kalayaan, sama-sama po tayong
nagbibigay-pugay sa mga bayaning ipinaglaban ang tama. Gamitin natin silang
inspirasyon sa patuloy nating paglalakbay sa daang matuwid,” President Aquino
said before hundreds of Nagueños who gathered at the plaza.
“Isapuso natin ang iniwan nilang aral: ang
malasakit sa ating kapwa ang maghahatid sa atin sa mga inaasam natin bilang
isang lahi. Sa ganitong paraan lamang po natin masasabing tunay tayong
karapat-dapat sa kanilang mga sakripisyo; sa ganitong paraan lamang po natin
maitataguyod ang isang Pilipinas na ganap na makatarungan at malaya.”
President Aquino was joined by NHCP chairperson
Maria Serena Diokno, Naga City Mayor John Bongat, Camarines Sur Representative
Maria Leonor Robredo, National Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Interior and
Local Government Secretary Manuel Roxas, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)
Chief of Staff General Emmanuel Bautista, and other local and military
officials during his activities here.
Representative Robredo, for her part, thanked
President Aquino for choosing to be in Naga City to celebrate this year’s
Independence Day and for acknowledging the sacrifices rendered by their
forefathers.
“Ikinagagalak po namin, Mahal naming Pangulo,
ang inyong kapasiyahan na dito sa aming lungsod ipagdiwang ang 116 na araw ng
kasarinlan. Ikinalulugod po namin na matapos ang mahabang panahon, nabigyan din
ng kaukulang pagpapahalaga ang mga pamana at papel na ginampanan ng mga
tinitingala naming mga bayani. Mula ngayon, hindi na lamang sila mga martir ng
Bicol, mga bayani rin sila ng buong Pilipinas,” she said in her message.
Apart from the flag-raising and wreath-laying
rites in Camarines Sur, other Independence Day-related activities were
simultaneously held at the Rizal Park in Manila, Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine in
Cavite, Barasoain Church in Bulacan, Pinaglabanan Memorial Shrine in San Juan
City, Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan City, Mausoleo de los Veteranos de la
Revolucion at the North Cemetery in Manila, and the Pamintuan House in Angeles
City.
President Aquino was also slated to meet with
members of the diplomatic community for the traditional Vin d’Honneur at
Malacañang Palace to celebrate the occasion. PND (hdc)
Filipinos can learn from country's heroes, says
President Aquino
NAGA CITY, Camarines Sur) President Benigno S.
Aquino III has called on Filipinos to relive the spirit of heroism that spurred
the revolution against Spanish colonialism more than a hundred years ago.
In his message during the 116th anniversary
celebration of the proclamation of Philippine Independence, the President said
the sacrifices of Filipino heroes must be recognized and must serve as an
inspiration, as the country pursues the righteous path that the administration
champions.
“Bilang mga tagapagmana ng kalayaang ipinaglaban
ng mga nauna sa atin, tungkulin po ng bawat isa sa ating hindi na hayaang
bumalik ang ating bansa sa dati nitong kalagayan; ang hindi na muling magbunsod
ng mga panibagong sakripisyo sa maraming Pilipino,” he said during the ceremony
held at Plaza Quince Martires here Thursday.
With this in mind, the government continues to
carry out major projects that will improve the conditions of the people in the
Bicol region, he said, giving as an example the Bicol International Airport in
Daraga, Albay, that is aimed at enhancing tourism and relations with other
countries.
He also cited the proposed one-stop Migrants
Resource Center in Naga City which intends to improve the competitiveness and
skills of overseas Filipino workers.
The President also said that the Congress has
passed the extension of the Philippine National Railway (PNR) charter to open
up more opportunities to Bicolanos.
Urging the people to fight oppression, graft and
corruption, and poverty, the President said, "Ang pagwawaksi sa korupsyon
at pang-aabuso sa sistema saan man sa Pilipinas—sa lokal man o sa mga
pambansang antas—ay magbubunga ng mas matibay na mga istitusyong
makapaglilingkod sa bawat Pilipino."
At the same time, he reminded the people to vote
wisely in the election two years from now by choosing competent and pro-poor
leaders, those who fight for the people's rights and not those who only deliver
flowery speeches and concentrate on entertaining the crowd.
"Pananagutan nating mag-iwan ng mas
makatarungan at mas maunlad na Pilipinas kaysa ating dinatnan," he said.
Heroism among Filipinos continues to this day in
different forms, he said, citing the bravery of the Marines stationed in the
Ayungin Shoal, the achievements of former Naga City mayor and Department of
Interior and Local Government (DILG) secretary Jesse Robredo, and the courage
of millions of Filipinos who gathered in EDSA during the 1986 revolution: the
students, professionals, soldiers and policemen.
Naga City Mayor John Bonggat meanwhile thanked
the President for choosing his city as the venue for this year's Independence
Day celebration.
The Plaza Quince Martires was built in the heart
of Naga City to recognize the heroism of Bicolano Ilustrados, who resisted the
Spanish rule.
Eleven of the 15 martyrs from Bicol were
executed in Bagumbayan in January 4, 1897, a few days after the martyrdom of
Dr. Jose Rizal. Two died in jail and the other two died while in exile in an
African island. PND (as)
President Aquino: Government committed to
pursuing justice for everyone
NAGA CITY, Camarines Sur) President Benigno S.
Aquino III on Thursday reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensure
that everyone's rights are protected under the law.
Gracing the 116th anniversary celebration of
Philippine Independence here, the President said the 15 martyrs of Bicol were
tried and convicted without a fair trial during Spanish colonial rule.
"Malinaw po sa atin ngayon na ang mga
kaganapan ukol sa inyong Kinse Martires ay nagsilbing mitsa ng rebolusyon dito
sa Kabikulan," he said in his message.
If the fifteen martyrs, who were members of the
middle class, could be jailed and tortured based on unfounded accusations,
ordinary people could suffer the same fate, the President said, noting that it
is timely to recall these events in history as the government carries out
reforms to bring about true justice.
Referring to the pork barrel scam, he said
accusations of politicking made by certain “prominent personalities” have no
basis because the issue on illegal detention, corruption and fake
non-governmental organizations first surfaced during the 2013 election.
He said he instructed Justice Secretary Leila De
Lima not to make charges without solid evidence.
"Sinunod natin ang tamang proseso:
Nagsagawa ng imbestigasyon, nangalap ng mga ebidensiya, at ngayon ay nagsampa
ng kaso," he noted.
The President said his government could have
hastily filed cases against those involved in the scam even without concrete
basis, but the Department of Justice chose to observe due process and gather
evidences meticulously.
He said he does not want anyone to be prosecuted
without basis because his family suffered injustice during the Marcos regime.
He recalled how his father, former senator
Benigno Aquino Jr. was tried and convicted during Martial Law.
"Ang karanasan nga po ng aming pamilya ang
nagturo sa akin ng kahalagahan ng pakikipaglaban para sa pagkakapantay-pantay
upang mawakasan ang siklo ng kawalang katarungan," he said.
"Ngayon nga pong nasa posisyon na ako para
maisabuhay ang mga aral na ito, gagawin ko ang lahat ng aking makakaya upang
mabigyan ng hustisya hindi lamang ang iilan, kundi ang buong sambayanan,"
he added.
The President led the Independence Day celebration
here at Plaza Quince Martires, laying a wreath for the 15 martyrs of Bicol who
resisted Spanish rule.
Eleven of the martyrs were executed while the
other four died, either in jail or in exile. PND (as)
Dean of Diplomatic Corps lauds President Aquino
for bringing peace to Mindanao
The Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Papal
Nuncio, Archbishop Guiseppe Pinto, on Thursday commended President Benigno S.
Aquino III for bringing peace to Mindanao through the signing of the
Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro.
“We know well that the path to peace is covered
with thorns and roses. But your declaration that we have, before us, a path
that can lead to a stable change in the island of Mindanao, communicates the
optimism and enthusiasm of gathering roses, without suffering injury from the
thorns,” Archbishop Pinto said during his toast at the vin d’honneur to
commemorate the 116th anniversary of Philippine Independence held in Malacañang
Palace.
“Therefore, Mr. President, we hope for a future
of prosperity and cooperation with all those who are directly involved in this
bold enterprise of priceless civic value. For us, representatives of
governments and international organizations, this is our highest aspiration: to
share peace with the peacemakers,” he added.
The Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro
was signed last March 27 in Malacañang, marking the end of the decades-long
conflict in Mindanao.
The archbishop also praised the Philippines for
its hosting of the World Economic Forum on East Asia last month.
“The Philippines is present not just to gain a
greater economic growth, but also to give its contribution to a shared
progress, inspired by social justice,” the Papal Nuncio said. PND (ag)
President Aquino reminds people in government of
forefathers’ sacrifice to gain independence
President Benigno S. Aquino III on Thursday
reminded people in government to honor the sacrifices made by the country’s
forefathers to achieve independence.
During the vin d’honneur commemorating the 116th
anniversary of Philippine Independence held in Malacañang Palace, the President
said people in government should also work toward realizing the full benefit of
independence.
“This responsibility falls on the shoulders of
all Filipinos. Perhaps, especially for those of us in government, the depth and
the breadth of this responsibility can be challenging,” he said.
During his toast, the President said, “To my
fellow workers in government: may we strive every day to render true and honest
service, remaining mindful that our mandate and authority emanate from the
people.”
Addressing the diplomatic corps, he underscored
the importance of lending a helping hand to other nations that need assistance
in one form or another.
“We recognize that being an independent country
means being part of the larger international community. A solely inward-looking
approach to governance is doomed to fail; any responsible country knows that it
must also work alongside its brother nations to address the world’s problems.
This is what the Philippines is doing, even with our limitations,” he explained.
He said this is the very reason why the country
sent a contingent in the UN Peacekeeping Force in Golan Heights.
“Each of our countries is beset with its own
internal problems. But at the same time, we recognize that no comprehensive
solution can be reached without also taking into consideration the problems
that the global community faces. None of us can realize our goals in
isolation,” President Aquino said. PND (ag)
