President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday reminded the Filipino public of the responsibility one must uphold, as the country celebrates the 128th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence.

“As we honor this day, we are reminded that freedom is not merely a legacy we inherit but a responsibility we must uphold. While our forebears fought colonial oppression through revolution, reform, and intellectual resistance, we face challenges of a different kind today,” Marcos said in his message during the 128th Independence Day Celebration on June 12.

“May this occasion deepen our understanding of the past and inspire a renewed sense of duty to our country,” Marcos noted.

The President added that, “through active citizenship, good governance, and solidarity, may we continue building a Bagong Pilipinas worthy of the sacrifices that secured our sovereignty and of the dreams and aspirations that gave birth to the Philippine Republic.”

Marcos recalled that the declaration of independence in Kawit, Cavite, on June 12, 1898, marked a landmark chapter in the nation’s history.

“It was the moment we formally asserted our right to govern ourselves and determine our own destiny. The years that followed tested our resolve as we built institutions, strengthened national unity, and sustained a truly independent Republic,” Marcos said.

“Yet through wars, crises, and uncertainty, the Filipino spirit endured, and the determination to build a better Philippines prevailed,” the President noted.

The Chief Executive also urged Filipinos to “protect the truth” and “restore trust”, as this would affect the future of the country.

“We must protect truth from distortion, harness technology wisely, and restore trust in a time increasingly marked by division and distrust,” Marcos stressed.

“How we respond to these demands will shape the course of our nation and define what we pass on to future generations,” the President also said.

Marcos further said that as Filipinos continue to write the national history, the nation pays tribute to the heroes who secured liberty, and to the countless Filipinos who have devoted their lives to advancing the common good. Presidential News Desk