Legarda urges Filipinos to embody the legacy of the First PH Republic

As the country commemorated the 125th Anniversary of the First Philippine Republic on January 23, 2024, Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda emphasized the importance of upholding the idealism of this historic event that helped change the country’s progress after more than a century, urging Filipinos to look at it as a burning and undying symbol of democracy across the nation.

In her privilege speech on January 24, Legarda underscored the commemoration as a way to relive the lessons of the past to find solutions to the current struggles the country is facing today.

The senator said this serves as a strong reminder for Filipinos to embody the sacrifices our founding fathers demonstrated amidst challenges during the Spanish occupation.

“Matagumpay nating nilabanan ang pang-aapi ng mga dayuhang kolonyal mahigit isang siglo na ang nakalilipas, ngunit hindi natin maikakaila na hanggang sa kasalukuyan, hindi pa rin natatapos ang ating laban tungo sa tunay na kalayaan,” she said, noting President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s remark on the current socioeconomic burdens that prevent the country to achieve total progress.

“Ang tunay na malayang bansa ay isang bansa kung saan ang mga mamamayan ay namumuhay nang mapayapa, nang hindi nakabaon sa kahirapan, kung saan lahat ay nakatatanggap ng pangunahing serbisyong sosyo-ekonomiya, at kung saan ang pag-unlad ay pantay at makatarungan,” Legarda added.

Legarda recognized that the country’s biggest problems continue to be the lack of opportunities, quality education, healthcare services, and a safe community for all.

Likewise, the four-term senator renewed her unyielding commitment to continue the legacy established by Filipinos during the First Republic in terms of creating legislation that would benefit the whole nation’s welfare, encouraging all of her countrymen to do their part in this shared responsibility.

“Magtulungan tayo para sa makatarungan at pangkalahatang pag-unlad ng ating komunidad. Siguruhing walang sinuman ang mapagkakaitan ng mga pangunahing karapatan bilang tao,” Legarda conveyed.

“Ang higit nating kailangan ay isang Republikang matatag, nagkakaisa, buo at may iisang layunin – ang maging katuwang ng bawat Pilipino sa pag-ahon at pag-unlad. Isang Republika na ang adhikain ay mabigyang katuparan ang matagal nang idinadaing ng bawat Pilipino, ang lumaya sa pagkakagapos mula sa kahirapan at umunlad ng walang napag-iiwanan,” she asserted. (30)