Marcos stresses freedom despite hardships on Independence Day

Under a gloomy Manila sky, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. led the celebration of the 127th Philippine Independence Day at Rizal Park.

He was joined by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and their children Ilocos Norte 1st District Representative Sandro Marcos, Joseph Simon Marcos, and William Vincent Marcos.

At 7:00 a.m., a flag ceremony was held at the Independence flagpole at the Rizal National Monument, Rizal Park.

Afterwards, Marcos laid a wreath before Dr. Jose Rizal. He was accompanied by National Historical Commission of the Philippines Chairperson Regalado Trota Jose Jr. and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr.

Simultaneously, flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremonies were also held in key historical areas across the country such as the Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite; Barasoain Church Historical Landmark in Malolos City, Bulacan; Pinaglabanan Memorial Shrine in San Juan City; Mausoleo de los Veteranos de la Revolución in Manila North Cemetery; Andres Bonifacio National Monument in Caloocan City; and Museo ng Kasaysayang Panlipunan ng Pilipinas in Angeles City, Pampanga.

Under the theme Kalayaan, Kinabukasan, Kasaysayan, Marcos emphasized the importance of celebrating the freedom of the nation despite the hardships it endured.

"Mula sa kanilang sakripisyo, unti-unting umusbong ang Republika ng Pilipinas. Ngunit, sa batang edad ng kasaysayan ng ating bansa, hinarap natin ang hamon ng digmaang pandaigdig, ang krisis sa langis, ang globalisasyon," he said.

"Sa harap ng lahat ng mga hamon na ito, unti-unting lumakas at naging isa ang ating bansa. Pinagtibay ng apoy, ng sakripisyo, at ng luha," he added.

Marcos pointed out that under his vision of Bagong Pilipinas, Filipinos can express their opinions freely and without prejudice.

"Hindi kasalanan ang pagbibigay ng opinyon. At lalong hindi mali ang kritisismo. Bagkus, ito ang nagbibigay buhay at kinang sa ating demokrasya," he said.

Marcos lamented that the greatest enemy of freedom is numbness and turning a blind eye to societal issues.

"Ang totoong kalaban ng kalayaan ay ang pagiging manhid. Manhid sa hinaing ng taumbayan. Manhid sa kalagayan ng ating kapwa. Manhid sa kapakanan ng ating bansa," he said.

Marcos also turned to his fellow government workers to remind them not to take anything for granted.

"Tayong mga kagawad ng pamahalaan, mga tagapagmana ng kalayaan, huwag nating sayangin ang pagkakataon at tiwalang ipinagkaloob sa atin," he said.

He reiterated that accountability is what the public wants.

"Pananagutan. ‘Yan ang sigaw ng sambayanan. Mula sa sirang tulay, kalsada, mahal na pagkain, kakulangan ng kuryente—ang nais ng taumbayan ay tunay na pagkilos at serbisyo. Ang solusyon ay ang pagpapaginhawa ng buhay ng bawat isa," Marcos stressed.

Marcos expressed that the government must respond to the needs of the Filipino people.

After delivering his remarks, Marcos witnessed the Independence Day Parade where national peacekeeping government agencies, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines, displayed their ranks and equipment.

Carriages symbolizing notable historical events of the Philippines were also showcased.

Philippine festivals representing Filipino ingenuity were likewise celebrated in the form of street dance.