As the nation commemorates the 124th anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence, Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo today underscored the importance of progress and individual dignity in the Filipinos’ effort to attain genuine freedom and independence.
Addressing the crowd who had gathered for the flag-raising ceremony this morning at the Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan City, Chief Justice Gesmundo, speaking in the vernacular, stressed: “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.”
Chief Justice Gesmundo expressed that the Judiciary is one with the nation in commemorating the 124th anniversary of the declaration of Philippine independence, and urged everyone to preserve and nurture the rights and the freedom that Filipinos have so gallantly fought for. He also paid tribute to every Filipino hero, whether known or unknown in the annals of Philippine history, who contributed in the country’s struggle to gain its independence.
“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. 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,” urged Chief Justice Gesmundo.
Joining Chief Justice Gesmundo were Caloocan City Mayor Oscar Malapitan, City Vice Mayor Luis Macario Asistio, Caloocan 1st District Rep. Dale Gonzalo Malapitan, National Historical Commission of the Philippines OIC-Deputy Executive Director Alvin Alcid, Caloocan Chief of Police Col. Samuel Mina, and Caloocan Bureau of Fire Protection Superintendent Roberto Samillano. With the Chief Justice from the Judiciary were Assistant Court Administrator and Chief of the SC Public Information Office Atty. Brian Keith F. Hosaka, as well as the judges from the Regional Trial Courts and the Metropolitan Trial Courts of Caloocan City. (Courtesy of the SC Public Information Office)