On Independence Day, Marcos vows to address ‘un-freedoms’ in society

Leading the Philippines’ commemoration of its 125th Independence Day, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. ensured to address the “un-freedoms” in the society, including poverty and inequality.

Marcos said this during the Independence Day ceremony held at the Quirino Grandstand on Monday.

He admitted that at present, there are still “manifold un-freedoms prevailing in the society that stand in the way of human development.”

“These are the corrosive political and social conditions that make the nation not as free as we would like to profess and to believe, such as poverty, inadequate economic opportunities, disabling rather than enabling living conditions, inequality and apathy,” Marcos said in his speech.

“We will strive to remove the un-freedoms, we will aim to feed the hungry, free the bound, and banish the poverty,” he added.

Marcos said his administration would implement wise policies, including the Philippine Development Plan, to address the ills in the society.

“I will be with you on that long and uphill road to achieve our dream of freedom, freedom from hunger, freedom from neglect, freedom from fear,” Marcos said.

Meanwhile, he said “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. Never again to be subservient to any external force that directs or determines our destiny,” Marcos said.

This is the first time that Marcos graced the commemoration of the Independence Day as the country's president. He also led the flag raising ceremony and wreath-laying at the Rizal Monument.

During the wreath-laying, the President was accompanied by Emmanuel Calairo, chairman of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, and Armed Forces chief General Andres Centino.

A socio-civic parade, which included government agencies and offices, was also held as part of the Independence Day ceremony. Cultural dances also entertained the audience.

According to the Presidential Communications Office, it was the first time in 18 years that a parade took place during Independence Day.

Assert liberty

In his separate message, Marcos said the historic day confirmed what our forebears have religiously kept in their hearts, which is that “we are the inheritors of the glorious heroism and nobility that our ancestors have demonstrated throughout our long and storied history.”

“The flag, national march, and proclamation in writing affirmed to them the victory that was brought forth by battles won and sacrifices made, which gave the mighty filipinos the guidance and confidence to move forward united,” Marcos said.

He said that with new oppressors and challenges being faced by the country, “our people remained defiant, affirming that it is in our core to defend what is ours.”

“And with all that this occasion symbolizes and entails, we understand beffer now that liberty will not flourish on its own; freedom will not materialize unless it in declared boldly, believed sincerely, and demonstrated passionately,” Marcos said.

He challenged Filipinos to always assert freedom.

“For this, I challenge each of us: On the 125th year since the declaration of our freedom, let us assert our liberty day by day. In everything we do, let us pursue excellence and integrity with the knowledge that we are living out the visions our predecessors held on to and the comfort they toiled for,” Marcos said.

Last month, the President approved the creation of an inter-agency committee for the commemoration of the 125th anniversary of Philippine independence and nationhood.

The order stated that the Philippines would commemorate the 125th anniversary of Philippine independence from 2023 to 2026 to “give focus on the freedom that our forebearers struggled for towards that they dreamed for the country and the history that we seek to remember and honor them with.” — RSJ/KBK, GMA Integrated News