Chief Justice Gesmundo on Independence Day: Protect, nurture our rights, freedom
Chief Justice Gesmundo (Photo from Supreme Court-Public Information Office).
MANILA, Philippines — Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo on Sunday urged the Filipino people to “protect and nurture the rights and the freedom we inherited,” stressing that freedom with no progress is meaningless.
He said this as he led the flag-raising ceremony at the Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan City during the 124th anniversary of the Proclamation of the Philippines.
“Kaya sa okasyong ito, ang panawagan ko sa sambayanang Pilipino: Pangalagaan at pagyamanin natin ang mga karapatan at kalayaang ipinamana sa atin. Bilang pagkilala sa mga tungkuling kaakibat nito, gawin natin ang lahat ng ating makakaya para mag-ambag sa lipunan sa ating sari-sariling paraan,” he said.
(So on this occasion, my call to the Filipino people: let us protect and nurture the rights and freedoms we have inherited. In recognition of the duties associated with it, let us do all we can to contribute to society in our own way.)
“Ibuhos natin ang ating lakas para sama-sama nating mapagtagumpayan ang mga hamong hinaharap natin bilang isang bansa. Buong-puso nating gampanan ang ating mga tungkulin bilang mga mamamayan, upang maabot natin ang pangarap nating panibagong bukas— kung saan bawat Pilipino, malaya hindi lang sa banyagang mananakop, kundi malaya sa gutom at kahirapan, malaya sa takot at pangamba sa kinabukasan, malaya sa kawalan ng katarungan,” he added.
Article continues after this advertisement(Let us pour our energy so that together we can overcome the challenges we face as a nation. Let us wholeheartedly fulfill our duties as citizens, so that we can reach our dream of a new tomorrow — where every Filipino, free not only from foreign occupation, but free from hunger and poverty, free from fear of the future, is free of injustice.)
Article continues after this advertisementHe also underscored the importance of progress, and the dignity of every Filipino who made an effort to attain freedom and independence.
“Ang kalayaan ay magiging makabuluhan lamang kung ito ay patungo sa kaunlaran ng buong pamayanan at hindi ng iilan lamang. Ang kalayaan ay magiging ganap lamang kung ang bawat Pilipino ay may dignidad anuman ang kanyang katayuan sa buhay,” said Gesmundo.
(Freedom will also only be meaningful if it is towards the development of the whole community and not just a few. Freedom will only be complete if every Filipino has dignity regardless of his status in life.)
He also paid tribute to every Filipino hero, whether known or unknown, who contributed to the country’s struggle to gain its independence.
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