House Speaker Martin Romualdez on Monday urged Filipinos to continue fighting corruption, injustice, and indifference, warning that tolerating these ills would betray the memory of Filipino heroes whose sacrifices won the country’s freedom.
“We remember that freedom was never given to us lightly. It was fought for, defended, and won through the blood, sweat and tears of those who came before us,” Romualdez said in his National Heroes Day message.
“That is why we cannot allow corruption, injustice or indifference to undo the gains our heroes secured. To do so would be a betrayal of their memory,” the Leyte representative added.
Romualdez’s message echoed that of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s speech earlier at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, where he led a wreath-laying ceremony and other activities on National Heroes’ Day.
“As Filipinos, we have a responsibility to our country to be more critical of wrongdoing, to expose deception, and to stand up for what we know is right, even if it is not easy,” President Marcos said.
According to Romualdez, the commemoration is not only to honor towering figures of history but also “the countless Filipinos whose quiet sacrifices made our freedom possible.”
“On National Heroes Day, we honor not only the great figures of our history but also the countless Filipinos whose quiet sacrifices made our freedom possible. Their courage is a constant challenge to us in public service to place the country above self,” the House Speaker said.
