Vice President Leni Robredo believes Andres Bonifacio remains an inspiration, now more than ever, in seeking justice for the aggrieved and holding accountable people in power.
“On this day, we remember and honor Andres Bonifacio – his leadership that led to the unity of the Filipino people wanting for a change, his courage emanating from the love of his fellow Filipino, and his heroism,” said Robredo, an independent presidential aspirant, during the celebration for the 158th birth anniversary of Bonifacio, who was called the Supremo of the Katipunan that fought against Spanish rule.
“Bonifacio stood up, and that served as an inspiration to many people. He is an inspiration until now. We remember his example every time we need to lay down everything in the name of justice and humane society,” she added.
His heroism, Robredo said, remains a reality today among everyday Filipino heroes.
“Bonifacio signified the spirit of those wanting to protest against abuses of those in power. His words are still our guide,” she said.
“This is love that is willing to sacrifice and give all. Let us continue to live that way every day. Through this way, we can shape the nation our heroes dreamt of.”
Meanwhile, Robredo, in her keynote address at the 63rd Ramon Magsaysay Awards Tuesday, said the pandemic has taught people and governments to espouse “radical solidarity” as nations begin to rebuild and pursue a better normal after the pandemic upturned the world.
“When poverty strips people of their ability to take hold of their own destiny; when disease threatens those who have already lost so much to prejudice and inequality; when conflict tears people from their homes, their culture, their hope and memory; when silence and lies shrink the space for important stories to be told; when even the seas cry out for reprieve from the insatiable drive to extract and consume—we look to people such as the 2021 Ramon Magsaysay awardees and their fellows from across the decades as examples of how humanity ought to respond,” Robredo said.
This year’s awardees are fisherman and community environmentalist, Robert “Ka Dodoy” Ballon (Philippines); humanitarian and peacebuilder, Steven Muncy (Southeast Asia); affordable medicine champion, Firdausi Qadri (Bangladesh); poverty alleviation visionary, Muhammad Amjad Saqib (Pakistan); and media truth crusader, Watchdoc (Indonesia).