PINOYS AS HEROES
BY awakening their spirit of heroism, Filipinos have been urged to help the country overcome present challenges particularly the freedom from poverty.
This was the appeal of Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez to the Filipino people during the wreath-laying ceremony at the Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan City as part of the rites to commemorate the country’s 125th Independence Day.
According to Romualdez, Filipinos must show gestures of gratitude to Philippine heroes who laid down their lives to secure our freedom.
“Sa araw na ito, gisingin natin ang kabayanihan sa bawat isa sa atin,” Romualdez said.
He said the occasion calls for everyone to reflect and learn from the lessons left for us by our heroes, like Gat Andres Bonifacio, the Father of the Philippine Revolution.
“Hindi natin mailalatag ang daan tungo sa magandang kinabukasan kung hindi pag-aaralan ang landas na tinahak ng mga naunang henerasyon. Utang natin sa kanila ang kalayaang tinatamasa natin ngayon,” he said.
Romualdez said we still need heroes, like Bonifacio, in the present generation although they may not need to take up arms and fight for liberty.
“Sa ganang akin, hindi pa tapos ang laban ni Gat Andres at iba pa nating bayani,” he said.
He said the fight for our country’s freedom is not just against foreign invaders but also to free our people from the shackles of poverty and hunger.
“Laban din ito para wakasan ang kagutuman. Laban para maranasan ang ginhawa sa buhay. Laban para matiyak ang magandang kinabukasan. Maging bayani para iangat ang buhay ng pamilya. Kumilos para maging bahagi ng solusyon sa mga problema ng bayan. Maging bayani para sa bansa at para sa kapwa,” he added.
Expressing thanks on behalf of the House of Representatives for the privilege to be part of the historic occasion, Speaker Romualdez also vowed to do his part in the effort to uplift the lives of Filipinos.
“Asahan po ninyo, lagi ninyo akong kasama sa labang ito,” he said.
Earlier, he said that the House of Representatives remains focused on passing the necessary legislation meant to further boost the momentum of our country’s economic growth for the benefit of every Filipino.
PNP JOINS PH INDEPENDENCE DAY COMMEMORATION
Philippine National Police chief General Benjamin C. Acorda Jr. led the 228,000-strong force in celebrating the country’s 125th Independence Day with a renewed call on his men to remain united while remembering the sacrifices of Filipino heroes and forefathers.
On a rainy day, the top cop paid tribute to Philippine heroes who offered the ultimate sacrifice in order to help the country gain its freedom.
He said that it is the reason why each and every member of the police force must always bear in mind the sacrifices of our brave forefathers and heroes who fought to achieve independence.
“Sa ating hanay sa Pambansang Pulisya ng Pilipinas, Malaki ang ating pananagutan upon panatilihin ang kapayapaaan at kaayusan sa ating bansa. Sundan natin ang diwa ng paglilingkod at pag-aalay ng buhay ng ating mga bayana. Ating gampanan ng buong puso, galing at giting ang pagsisilbi bilang tagapangalaga ng batas at katarungan, “he said.
Gen. Acorda said all police personnel must bear in mind their sacred duties to ‘serve and protect’ within the bounds of law.
“Malinaw ang ating takdang tungkulin: ang maglingkod sa Mamamayang Pilipino , magtaguyod ng seguridad sa ating mga komunidad at magtanggol sa ating mga Karapatan,” he said.
The top cop also reminded his men that the 125th Philippine Independence Day celebration is another good opportunity to remain united in keeping the streets safe and enforcing the law 24/7 in order to further spur economic growth.
Known for his ‘Serbisyong Nagkakaisa’ program, Gen. Acorda also led his men in paying tribute to countless officers and men of the national police force who have been killed in action while fighting ‘armed and dangerous’ insurgents and other lawless elements, drug traffickers, robbers, car thieves and kidnappers.
“Sabay-sabay nating alalahanin at saluduhan ang ating mga kasamahan na nagbuwis ng buhay alang-alang sa serbisyo publiko. Hindi matatawaran ang walang katumbas na alay nila para sa ating bansa,” he said.
“Nais ko ring kilalanin ang katapatan at serbisyo ng bawat isa. Sa inyong pagsasakripisyo at dedikasyon, patuloy na nagiging ligtas at mapayapa ang ating lipunan. Nawa’y ang bawa’t isa sa atin ay patuloy na maging halimbawa ng disiplina at propesyonalismo.
Alalahanin natin na ang ating kasarinlan ay may kasamang responsibilidad. Ang kalayaan ay dapat pangalagaan at pahalagahan para sa mga susunod na henerasyon ng Pilipino,” he added. With Alfred Dalizon
