The 128th Independence Day celebration at Rizal Park.
MANILA, Philippines — House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III joined President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and other top government officials in commemorating the 128th Anniversary of Philippine Independence during ceremonies held Friday at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila.
Marcos led the traditional Independence Day rites, which included the flag-raising ceremony, wreath-laying at the Rizal Monument, and the “Parada ng Kalayaan” (Freedom Parade). This year’s celebration carried the theme, “Ang Kalayaang Pinapangarap.”
Speaker Dy stood alongside President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos, Acting Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno as thousands of Filipinos gathered to honor the country’s hard-won freedom and reflect on the responsibilities that come with it.
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In his Independence Day message, President Marcos emphasized the importance of selfless leadership and service to the nation.
“True leaders are those who sacrifice their own interests for the good of the people,” the President said in Filipino.
For his part, Dy said the promise of independence remains incomplete if its benefits are not felt by all Filipinos.
“Freedom must always go hand in hand with progress. It is not enough for us to be free if many people are still not given the opportunity to be part of development,” the speaker said.
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According to Dy, freedom is not only about remembering the nation’s struggle for self-governance but also about building a more inclusive and prosperous future.
The speaker also added that independence becomes more meaningful when it creates opportunities for ordinary Filipinos.
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“Freedom has a deeper meaning when it opens opportunities for every Filipino to have decent employment, quality education, and a better future for their families.”
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