Filtered by: Topstories
News

Senators mirror Rizal as hero, farmer and prisoner


Senators on Saturday apprised both bold and humble depictions of national hero Jose Rizal on the day marking his martyrdom.

To detained Senator Leila de Lima, Rizal was martyred as a political prisoner who was silenced and framed by Spanish colonizers.

"Si Gat Jose Rizal ay bilanggong pulitikal ng isang mapaniil at malupit na pamahalaang Kastila. Sa pagtataguyod ng reporma, sa pagtatanggol ng karapatang pantao, sa paglalahad ng katotohanan ukol sa baluktot na patakaran ng gobyerno, ipinakulong siya at hinatulan sa kasalanang hindi niya ginawa. Siniraan ang reputasyon at pangalan ng mga gawa-gawang paratang ukol sa rebelyon at destabilisasyon," De Lima said.

De Lima related Rizal's tale to the current administration and her own situation.

"Mahigit isang siglo na ang nakalipas, naritong muli ang isang mapaniil at mapang-abusong gobyerno—walang pakundangan sa paghihirap ng maralita, pinapatay ang mahihirap at walang kalaban-laban, ginigipit ang malayang pamamahayag, ipinakukulong ang inosente at kinakasuhan ang mga humahadlang sa kanilang mala-diktador na pamamahala," she added.

De Lima featured a snippet from Rizal's “Huling Paalam,” a poem the national hero wrote in detention as he was sentenced to death.

Meanwhile, the national hero known for many talents was commemorated by Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan as a simple farmer who exemplifies that agricultural workers could be uplifted from ignorance and poverty.

"Today, I choose to remember Jose Rizal as a farmer who soiled his hands and feet to learn the basics of agriculture, studying how to make the land he bought near Dapitan productive," Pangilinan said in a statement.

Other than rice, corn and vegetables, and raised chickens during his exile, Pangilinan said Rizal coupled hard work with science and technology by founding a cooperative to help farmers use efficient farming techniques like the use of fertilizer, crop rotation, and use of farm machines.

"Ka Pepe left the haunting message that genuine independence cannot exist when Filipino farmers are still disrespected and poor. We need to measure development by how abundant their own dining tables are," Pangilinan finished.

Senator Grace Poe, on the other hand, hoped for the youth to take after Rizal's image of using his many talents to serve the entire nation.

Poe emphasized that Rizal was "an ordinary man before he was a hero."

"He was an educator, agriculturist, writer, engineer, surgeon, freedom fighter," Poe said.

"But, he used his genius to help uplift the lives of the Filipinos.  He served the people, and that's what made the difference. We hope his legacy and story will remain alive among us, especially the youth," she added.

In separate posts, Senators Gringo Honasan, Sonny Angara, Cynthia Villar, Joel Villanueva and Nancy Binay also commemorated the national hero.

 

 

Honasan remembered Rizal's nationalism and great sacrifice paved the way to a great future for younger generation.

"Jose Rizal dreamed of a Filipino Nation during his time. He lived and gave up his life for that dream. Today we reflect, pray and continue what Rizal and his generation of heroes sacrificed for our most precious children," he said.

 

 

Meanwhile, Binay recalled Rizal's indelibly-written farewell line from "Noli Me Tangere."

“Ako'y mamamatay na hindi man lamang nakita ang maningning na pagbubukang liwayway sa aking bayan. Kayong makakakita, batiin ninyo siya at huwag kalilimutan ang mga nalugmok sa dilim ng gabi." —Margaret Claire Layug/ALG, GMA News