Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan. INQUIRER.net file photo / CATHY MIRANDA
MANILA, Philippines — “For how can we be independent when our people are hungry for food, jobs, and justice?”
Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan posed this question Tuesday while urging Filipinos to continue fighting against issues that serve as threat to the country’s freedom in celebration of Independence Day.
“Independence Day sums up what our patriotic forefathers and foremothers gave us through their struggles — hope and freedom,” Pangilinan said in a statement.
“However, we continue to be faced with external and internal challenges that erode our people’s hopes and threaten their freedom. For how can we be independent when our people are hungry for food, jobs, and justice?” the senator added.
Pangilinan also expressed hopes that the celebration of Independence Day would serve as a reminder for Filipinos that achieving freedom is never easy.
“[May] the Philippines’ 121st Independence Day serve as a reminder that the ways of freedom are never easy,” Pangilinan said.
“Each day, we are always called upon to take action and keep guard to fight for and protect our territory, decent employment, equitable opportunities, and right to truth,” he added.
The senator added that it is now our responsibility to protect the freedom that our forefathers fought for.
“It is upon us to nurture the struggles of our heroes who lit the fire toward an independent nation,” Pangilinan said.
“We should plant, plant, plant — food, trees, and seeds of love of country for the survival of our people, our future, and our planet,” the senator added.
The Philippines is set to celebrate its 121st Independence Day on Wednesday, June 12. (Editor: Jonathan P. Vicente)