Romualdez: Freedom comes with responsibility to fight injustice

Filipinos should not take freedom for granted by taking responsibility in fighting  poverty, corruption, and injustice, Speaker Martin Romualdez said during his Independence Day message on Wednesday.

“Ang kalayaan ay hindi lamang isang pribilehiyo kundi isang responsibilidad. Tayo, bilang mga Pilipino sa makabagong panahon, ay may tungkuling ipagpatuloy ang laban para sa kalayaan—hindi lamang laban sa mga mananakop, kundi laban sa kahirapan, katiwalian, at kawalan ng katarungan,” Romualdez said as he led the Independence Day celebration at the Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan.

(Freedom is not a privilege but a responsibility. We Filipinos have a duty to continue the fight for our independence, not only from invaders but also from poverty, corruption, and injustice.)

“Sa araw na ito, hindi lamang natin ginugunita ang kanilang kabayanihan, kundi tinatanggap din natin ang hamon na kanilang iniwan,” Speaker Romualdez said.

(Today, we are not only honoring their heroism, but we are also accepting the challenge they left us.)

Likewise, Romualdez said lessons from the past should be used as a guide in building a prosperous society.

"Sa bawat hakbang natin patungo sa kaunlaran, nawa’y lagi nating tandaan ang mga aral ng nakaraan at ang mga sakripisyo ng ating mga ninuno. Sa kanilang tapang at determinasyon, natamo natin ang ating kalayaan," he said.

Romualdez also highlighted the role of the Barasoain Church and the heroism of the people of Bulacan in the fight for the country’s independence.

(In every step we take towards development, may we always remember the lessons of the past and the sacrifices of our ancestors. With their courage and determination, we gained our freedom.

“Nawa’y patuloy tayong magsilbing inspirasyon sa isa’t isa. Sama-sama nating itaguyod ang isang bansang tunay na malaya, makatarungan, at maunlad,” he said.

(May we continue to serve as an inspiration to each other. Together, let us promote a truly independent country that is just and prosperous.)

Romualdez was joined by local officials of Bulacan, led by Governor Daniel Fernando, at the flag-raising ceremony and wreath-laying ceremony. —with report from Tina Panganiban-Perez/ VAL, GMA Integrated News