President Rodrigo Duterte honored all frontliners here and abroad as modern day heroes who are battling the COVID-19 pandemic, as the nation marked National Heroes Day on Monday.
“Today, we honor not only the valor of our forebears who fought for our motherland’s freedom but also the heroism of those who risked their lives fighting a different kind of enemy,” the President said.
“Present day challenges posed by the current public health crisis have given rise to modern day heroes: the countless Filipino frontliners here and abroad who are battling the COVID-19 pandemic,” Duterte said.
He also expressed hope that Filipinos will draw inspiration from the modern-day heroes to overcome all challenges that they may face.
“I hope that the bravery of our Filipino heroes, past and present, will inspire us all to face and overcome even the most unfavorable situations,” he said.
“Together, let us become everyday heroes as we pursue a better future for everyone,” he added.
“Th COVID-19 pandemic demands a new kind of expression of heroism from Filipinos—the same kind of selflessness exhibited by Filipino frontliners,” he said.
“In honor of our heroes, let us strengthen our resolve in overcoming the challenges ahead guided by the virtues and standards set by the stalwarts of our nation,” Duterte said.
Vice President Leni Robredo, meanwhile, called on the Filipino people to fight and “not shrink from struggle or sacrifice.”
She also paid tribute to the country’s heroes, including frontliners against the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We honor today the many heroes who struggled, fought, sacrificed for our nation; who spoke truth to power and braved death or persecution; who exhibited courage, and in so doing, helped chart our destiny as a people,” she said in a statement.
“May the courage of our heroes continue to inspire us, as we once again face difficult times. A relevant and reflective National Heroes Day to everyone,” she said.
The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) on Monday extolled the heroism of judges and those in the legal profession who died because they had been faithful to their profession and even as their deaths remain unsolved.
Marking the country’s celebration of the National Heroes Day, IBP national president Domingo Egon Cayosa said that while they salute the medical frontline workers who have been working tirelessly and risking their lives throughout the five-month old pandemic, the mandatory lawyers’ organization also wants to give recognition to those in the legal profession who died for upholding the law. With PNA
“As we enjoy an official holiday to recall the greatness of our national heroes, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines remembers the many judges, prosecutors, government and private lawyers who were killed or harmed because they were doing their sworn duty,” Cayosa said in a statement.
“The fact that quite a number of such cases remain unsolved is a shared frustration, shame, and responsibility of Filipino lawyers,” he added.
The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) earlier said that since 2016 there had already been 50 lawyers, prosecutors and judges who have been killed in the country.
NUPL president Edre Olalia said their list only includes those whose death were clearly established to be profession-related or at least based on available reports, prima facie work-related.
“We affirm the courage of lawyers defending human rights, public interest advocates and whistleblowers; the selflessness of countless pro bono lawyers helping the poor; the dedication of lawyer-public servants and educators; the creativity of lawyer-innovators, entrepreneurs and activists; the contributions of the good Filipino lawyer to nation-building,” Cayosa said.
The IBP also honored the medical professionals, the doctors, nurses, scientists, technicians, health sector employees and workers, “who, despite the many obstacles and limitations, dutifully and resourcefully attend to the afflicted and so far have managed to keep the death rate of COVID-19 patients lower than global thresholds.”
“We thank and honor them for sacrificing their security and even their life to save their countrymen. We pray for them and their families and be ourselves little heroes of involvement, discipline and unity to win over the COVID 19 virus,” Cayosa said.
Armed Force chief Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay said heroism knows no bounds and manifests in different ways.
"It does not matter whether one is a uniformed personnel, a publicservant, or an ordinary citizen — specks of heroism are innate in all of us, urging us to perform every day acts of valor," said Gapay, who
led the wreath-laying ceremony at the Libingan ng mga Bayani's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
Gapay thanked all front-liners, including those in the medical field, law enforcement, and government agencies, for their dedication and hard work despite the continuing threat posed by COVID-19.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana also lauded frontliners in the fight to curb the spread of COVID-19.
In a statement, Lorenzana said the country "owes a debt of gratitude" to present heroes — the brave front-liners, the soldiers, airmen, sailors and marines, and selfless citizens who continue to serve as the country continues to face the challenges and threats of the pandemic.
Lorenzana also lauded the sacrifice of past heroes, who lived and died in service of the country. With PNA