Duterte hopes for brighter future as Robredo rallies for unity in Independence Day messages

MANILA, Philippines (Updated 12:09 p.m.) — In separate Independence Day messages, President Rodrigo Duterte looked to the examples of Filipino heroes in hoping for a brighter future for the country, while Vice President Leni Robredo rallied Filipinos to unite to overcome challenges.

Duterte said Filipinos have become "heroes in [their] own right" as they fought for survival and devoted themselves to the common good in the fight against the pandemic "just as our heroes did."

"With their noble example inspiring us to look forward to a brighter future filled with hope that we will overcome the challenges brought by this pandemic," he said.

Robredo, meanwhile, told Filipinos to unite and draw strength from each other to overcome the challenges they face.

“Mukha mang tagilid ang laban, basta humuhugot tayo ng lakas sa isa’t isa, kaya nating magtagumpay,” she said.

(The fight may seem lopsided, but if we draw strength from each other, we can win.)

“Anuman ang tawag ng panahon, mukha mang imposible ang sitwasyon, kakayanin natin, magtatagumpay tayo, dahil iisang bayan tayo,” she added.

(Whatever the call of the times may be, the situation may seem impossible, we can do it, we can emerge triumphant, because we are one nation.)

She said history has been witness to what Filipinos can achieve if they unite, stressing that remaining united is key to ensure that no one can take back their hard-fought freedom.

“Kung magbubuklod tayo, kung pagsasamahin natin ang ating lakas sa likod ng iisang layunin, masisiguro nating wala nang muling makaaagaw ng ating kalayaan,” Robredo said.

(If we unite, if we merge our forces behind one goal, we can be sure that no one can take back our freedom.) — Xave Gregorio