MALOLOS CITY, Philippines – President Aquino reiterated yeaterday his pledge to end corruption in the country as the nation marked the 114th anniversary of the inauguration of the First Philippine Republic at the historic Barasoain Church here.
The President’s message was read by former Senator Ramon Magsaysay Jr.
In his message, the President said that it has become clear that there is no room for straying from the straight path, and those who abuse their office and power would be held accountable.
He warned that there is a danger of sliding back to the dark chapter of the country’s history when corruption thrived if the people would not be vigilant and speak up.
He appealed to Filipinos to always remember the importance of freedom and the Constitution, adding that the people need to be united to continue to reap the fruits of the straight path.
The President recounted that 114 years ago, 70 leaders from different provinces in the country gathered at the historic Barasoain Church and charted the destiny of the nation through the Malolos Constitution that eventually gave birth to the first Philippine Republic, which is considered the first democratic republic in Asia.
He said that the Malolos Constitution broke the chains of Spanish rule, allowing Filipinos to live free and proved to the world that the Philippines is for Filipinos.
The Constitution also provided guidelines on how the Filipinos would act as citizens and how leaders should lead.
He warned the public that there are people who would try to subvert the law and use the Constitution to feed their own interests.
The President vowed to stop corruption in government and cited a section of the 1987 Constitution, which says that sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them.
During the event, Magsaysay also recalled his childhood experience when, at age five, his father then President Ramon Magsaysay Sr. brought him to Malolos for the occasion.
Magsaysay said that even as a boy, he already felt the significance of Barasoain Church in the country’s dramatic quest for freedom and independence as a nation.
Bulacan 1st District Rep. Ma. Victoria Sy-Alvarado, who represented her husband Gov. Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado, said that Bulacan has a rare place in history for being host to the three republics – the Republic of Kakarong in Pandi, the Biak-na-Bato Republic in San Miguel and the Malolos Republic.
The celebration was highlighted by a colorful parade dubbed “Parada ng Republika.â€
The event was supposed to be attended by the governors representing the eight provinces – Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Batangas, Pampanga and Manila – that broke away from Spanish rule and were depicted as the eight rays of the sun in the Philippine flag.
However, only Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, a Bulakenyo from San Miguel town, and Tarlac Gov. Victor Yap attended the event.– With Ric Sapnu