MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday vowed that the Philippines, celebrating its 125th year of independence, will never again be subservient to foreign powers.
In his speech during the 125th Independence Day celebration at the Quirino Grandstand, Marcos said that the Filipino heroes’ efforts to attain democracy would not be forgotten.
He said the country’s heroes — who fought to free the Philippines from Spanish, American, and Japanese conquerors — would be proud of what the country has achieved.
“One hundred and twenty-five years since the declaration of independence in Cavite, it is appropriate to pause to reflect on how far we have come from that profound transformative event in our history. The heroes of our liberation would be proud to know that we have thrown off the ominous yolk of domination,” the President said.
“Never again to be subservient to any external force that directs or determines our destiny,” he added.
According to Marcos, the country has remained true to the desires of heroes — to be a vibrant democracy with a stable government.
“We have stayed the course and adhered to their ideals for our free and independent country, popular, representative, and responsible. We have evolved into a healthy and vibrant republic, with a stable government supported by growing institutions and mechanisms — all of whose mandate and authority ultimately emanates from and are owed to, the Filipino people,” he said.
“Then, as now, it remains an unassailable evident principle that sovereignty resides in our people. Ours is a government peopled by men and women of laws, we have a legal framework firmly in place that can enforce public order and bring justice which operates within a judiciary designed as an independent and impartial tribunal,” he added.
Philippine Independence was declared on June 12, 1898, when revolutionary government leader General Emilio Aguinaldo declared freedom from the Spanish government, which ruled the country for over 300 years.
The Philippine flag was then raised on the Aguinaldo residence’ porch in Kawit, Cavite, with the Banda San Francisco de Malabon playing the national anthem Lupang Hinirang, then known as the Marcha Nacional Filipina.
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Marcos and the first family members led the Independence Day celebration on Quirino Grandstand. Before his speech and the military parade, Marcos laid a wreath on the monument of national hero Dr. Jose P. Rizal.
It was earlier announced that the Rizal Park ceremony was called off due to heavy rain.
The ceremony, however, eventually pushed through.
JUST IN: Announcers here in Rizal Park said that ceremonies at the said area have been cancelled. All participants have been asked to proceed to the Quirino Grandstand.@inquirerdotnet
— Gabriel P. Lalu (@GabrielLaluINQ) June 11, 2023