Marcos to Filipinos: Protect our liberty; ‘apathy' is freedom's enemy

The Star

5 days ago

MANILA: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr (pic) on Independence Day said that freedom must be defended and upheld, warning that its greatest enemy is 'apathy' toward national issues.
In his speech during the 127th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence at Quirino Grandstand on Thursday (June 12), Marcos also paid tribute to the nation's forefathers who fought for freedom.
'From their sacrifices, the Republic of the Philippines gradually emerged,' he said.
'Today, we can freely express our thoughts without fear and pursue our desires without avoidance. In the New Philippines, sharing one's opinion is not a crime, much less is criticism a wrongdoing. On the contrary, it is what gives life and lustre to our democracy,' he added.
Marcos stressed that freedom and democracy — like love for one's homeland — must be nurtured, protected, and fought for.
'Because the true enemy of freedom is apathy—apathy to the cries of the people, apathy to the condition of our fellow citizens, apathy to the welfare of our nation,' he added.
As a public servant himself, Marcos urged all government officials not to take the public's trust for granted.
'From broken bridges and roads to expensive food and power shortages, the people long for genuine action and service. The solution lies in improving the quality of life for everyone,' he said.
'We must hasten our response to the needs of our fellow citizens, raise the quality of public service, and correct our shortcomings,' he added. 'Let us hold accountable not only those who abuse their power but also those who fall short in their duty to serve.'
Marcos also said that fake news and misinformation can erase one's way of life, culture, and value system.
'Endless lies—false news and misinformation—are the plagues of our freedom,' he said.
'It is also disheartening that some of our fellow citizens continue to push false beliefs—not for the good of the Filipino people, but to serve the interests of others,' he added.
He then called on Filipinos to always choose honesty, even when no one is watching, and to take a stand, especially when wrongdoing occurs.
'Let us honour this day not just by remembering the sacrifices of our forefathers. We must live with the same courage and love of country; for freedom is not just something that we inherit but a right that we must protect every single day,' he said.
He also reminded the public that 'freedom is fleeting,' and it should be cherished every day.
Marcos led the celebration of the 127th anniversary of Philippine Independence in a ceremony held at Rizal Park.
He spearheaded the flag-raising at the Independence Flagpole and the wreath-laying at the Rizal National Monument, followed by the Parada ng Kalayaan 2025, which highlighted key historical events that shaped the nation's path to independence.
Simultaneous flag-raising ceremonies were also conducted at various historical sites, including the Dambanang Emilio Aguinaldo in Cavite, Barasoain Church Historical Landmark in Malolos City, Bulacan, Pinaglabanan Memorial Shrine in San Juan City, and the Andres Bonifacio National Monument in Caloocan City.
In his Independence Day message earlier in the day, Marcos urged Filipinos to value the nation's heritage by protecting their rights and freedoms and using them to uplift and safeguard others.
'So, let us continue to bear the vigor of our ancestors as we defend our nation against those who seek to diminish the strength of our people,' he added. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN