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CHIEF
Justice Reynato Puno said the Philippines has yet to
achieve full independence and establish itself as a
sovereign state 109 years after the Proclamation of
Independence in Kawit, Cavite, on June 12, 1898.
Puno,
who led the Independence Day rites at the Andres
Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan City on Tuesday morning,
was joined by local officials led by Mayor Recom
Echiverri.
Puno
said that as long as the people continue to live in
fear, experience hunger and are deprived of proper
education, there will be no independence.
He said
the situation that led to the launching of the
Philippine revolution during Spain’s colonial rule—the
arbitrary arrest and detention and summary executions
perpetrated by the guardia civil—is still being
experienced today, referring to the extrajudicial
killings of political activists.
Apparently, Puno was referring to allegations that the
military is behind the rampant human-rights violations
committed against activists accused of being communists
or communist sympathizers.
Puno
lamented the fact that those in power had failed to
protect the people and instead became power-greedy. “Ang
mga tuta na may kapangyarihan, imbes na magtanggol ay
naging ganid sa kapangyarihan at impluwensiya,” he
said.
He
assailed the problems brought about by lack of education
and joblessness, and also assailed cheating during
election.
Puno
said that unless the people are provided with proper
education, and learn of their rights and
responsibilities as a citizen, there is no
independence.
He noted
the fact that a vast majority of the Filipino people had
to go out of the country to look for work.
“Hangga’t may mga Filipino migrant workers na
lumalabas ng bansa para magtrabaho, hindi pa rin tayo
malaya.”
He
expressed dismay that some people are forced to live a
life of crime because of joblessness.
“Hanggat
hindi nabibigayan ng proteksyon ang sagradong boto,
walang kalayaan,” he said.
For his
part, Echiverri called on the city’s residents to unite
for the city and the country to move forward.
He also
urged his political rivals to set aside their political
differences and instead work for the betterment of the
people of Caloocan City. |
