Marcos seeks unity on Independence Day: ‘We have a long journey ahead’
MANILA, Philippines —President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. asked the nation to stand united, insisting that the collective journey towards genuine freedom still stretches before every Filipino, waiting to be conquered.
On Monday, Marcos delivered a speech during the Independence Day program at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila.
He said the Philippines still has a long way to go before ultimately fulfilling the dreams set by the country’s heroes.
He has once again called for unity – a well-known catchphrase during the 2022 national elections – to ensure national progress, bringing together people from all walks of life to achieve a common goal.
“(But) in spite of these evolutionary developments which are the hallmark of a free, independent, and democratic state, we still have a long daunting journey ahead to fulfill the dreams of our forefathers,” Marcos told the audience.
“So once again, I appeal for unity and solidarity in our efforts to perfect our hard-fought freedom and achieve genuine national progress,” he said.
“Heeding this call will indispensably require patriotism and a strong sense of community, diligence, industry and responsibility from all our citizens,” he added.
Marcos acknowledges that Filipinos continue to face several obstacles in their quest for true freedom: hunger, unfair opportunities, and harsh living conditions.
He said the journey towards development and growth as a country didn’t end with liberation from foreign powers, and the fight for a brighter, more equitable future must continue.
“Our independence was not the end but merely the means to achieve full development of the Filipinos. Our success in the pursuit of happiness is not just the ultimate goals of our independence. These are to be seen as expanded notions of human freedom,” he said.
“We subscribed to this for, after all, it is the blessing of independence and democracy that we have avowed to secure for ourselves and for our posterity,” he added.
The President also promised his government would do everything possible to remove inequality.
“Through wise policies, we will foster a highly conducive and enabling environment in which we exercise our true human compassion (that) shall allow for the full development of the Filipinos,” he said.
General Emilio Aguinaldo declared independence from Spain on June 12, 1898.
For 300 years, Spain governed the Philippines.
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