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Celebrating the 123rd Philippine Independence Day: What independence means to Filipinos

JUNE 12 marks the day the Philippines gained independence from Spain after being under its colonial rule for four centuries.

On this day every year, Filipinos — in the Philippines and beyond — commemorate and celebrate the country’s hard-won freedom.

However, there was a time when Filipinos observed “Araw ng Kasarinlan” or “Araw ng Kalayaan” on July 4, which is the same day as American Independence Day.

A refresher on Philippine history shows that the country found itself under another rule less than a year after declaring its independence. The Philippines was given to the United States by Spain as part of the 1898 Treaty of Paris Agreement when it lost the war against the U.S.

The refusal to acknowledge the Philippines’ declaration of independence pushed Filipinos to revolt against the U.S., triggering the Philippine-American War that went on from 1899 to 1902.

But it was only on July 4, 1946 that the Philippines gained sovereignty through the Treaty of Manila. This prompted Filipinos to celebrate the country’s independence on that date, which continued annually for 15 years until Philippine President Diosdado Macapagal officially changed the date back to June 12.

“It is proper that what we should celebrate is not the day when other nations gave recognition to our independence, but the day when we declared our desire to exercise our inherent and inalienable right to freedom and independence,” Macapagal said in a 1962 public address on Independence Day.

June 12, 1898 is the “true birthday of an independent Filipino nation” for its resolve to declare itself “absolved of allegiance to the Spanish crown,” the president added.

This year, the Philippines will mark its 123rd year of independence from Spanish rule with the theme “Kalayaan 2021: Diwa sa Pagkakaisa at Paghilom ng Bayan (Spirit of Freedom for National Unity and Healing).”

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), which leads the nationwide Independence Day celebration, will mark the holiday by conducting flag-raising and wreath-laying rites at various locations including the Rizal National Monument in Rizal Park, Manila; Bonifacio National Monument, Caloocan City; Barasoain Church Historical Landmark, Malolos, Bulacan; and Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite.

In the United States, Filipino American communities and organizations — from Los Angeles to New York, and everywhere in between — observe the holiday through festivals, parades, performances and flag-raising ceremonies. As the country begins to slowly reopen, events this year will continue to be virtual or offer a hybrid approach with social distancing and capacity limits in place.

Meaning As the years go by and the country continues to observe the holiday, the meaning and significance of the Philippine Independence Day have changed for Filipinos.

Lourdes Capule, an online teacher from Bulacan, said that this celebration is for Filipino heroes.

“To me, the Philippine Independence Day is a strong reminder of everything our heroes selflessly dedicated so we could be free. It is also a good time to reflect on the values they imparted and how we can inculcate them in our lives,” she said.

“Even though we have National Heroes Day, I can’t help but to think of them on Independence Day,” she added.

Capule noted that the country’s liberty was the Filipino heroes’ “ultimate goal,” reminding her of “how they valiantly fought” to set the Philippines free and give Filipinos their own identity.

“Even when faced with foes they seemed no match to, they never lost heart. What they lacked in, they made up for with wit and grit,” she said.

“They are who we should aspire to be: bold, brilliant, unyielding, and loyal to their country and not to the powers that be. We must forever be grateful for their sacrifices. These exceptional ancestors of ours give meaning to this special day,” she added.

John Almerc Dy, a BPO specialist from Marikina City mirrored this sentiment, saying “Ang araw ng kalayaan ay isang espesyal na araw upang ipaalala sa bawat Pilipino na maraming bayani ang nagbuwis ng buhay makamit lamang ang kasarinlan ng Pilipinas ( The Independence Day is a special day to remind every Filipino that a lot of heroes sacrificed their lives to achieve the Philippines’ independence ).”

“Kaya naman, dapat nating mahalin ang ating bansa at ipagtanggol kung sakali mang dumating ang pagkakataon na may dayuhan na muling magtatangka na agawin ulit ito sa atin ( That’s why, we should love our country and defend it in the event that foreigners try to take [our freedom] away again ),” he added.

Meanwhile, Fatima Abdukahil, who works in Taguig City, saw the country’s Independence Day as the “declaration of new ideas.”

“I think we all know that June 12 is the declaration of the Philippine Independence from Spain, and that was way back in 1898. But with the new era and new generations, what is really great about the Philippine Independence is also the declaration of new ideas,” she noted.

“Of course, there is a lot to tackle about the conquest of Spain, Americans, Japanese, and even from the dictatorships of former Philippine leaders. But with the new era, we are also embracing the changes. We are now in an era where we can choose whoever we want, and what we want to do. This is a declaration of free minds and Independence,” she added.

However, Abdukahil pointed out the need for accountability from Filipinos as we enjoy our independence and freedom.

“For every freedom and Independence that we are gaining, there is always a responsibility and accountability that we need to look out for. That is why we have the constitution, the law, and ethics to be looked out for,” she said.

Likewise, Lairamel Tolang, an editor from Pasay City, said that the Philippine Independence Day is a reminder for Filipinos to “take a closer look at the status quo.”

“[Independence Day] is a remembrance of how our country was freed from colonizers that once took control of our land and heavily influenced a big part of our culture,” she said.

Tolang stressed, “It is also a constant reminder to take a closer look at the status quo, reassess the ‘independence’ that we have now, and come up and share attainable solutions on how we could experience a more extensive independence and freedom from the people and system that overpower us.”

While the holiday is for celebrating the country’s hard-won freedom, Airamae Guerrero, who works for a start-up company in Pasay, noted that the Philippines’ current situation has made it difficult to do so.

“It’s hard to see the silver lining of freedom at this moment when innocent lives are being taken away, Filipinos are losing jobs, small businesses are shutting down, and I can hardly see concrete actions from the administration to defend its people from COVID and its socio-economic effect,” she said.

“This pandemic has shown that freedom is only being enjoyed by a few — the powerful and born with privilege,” added Guerrero.

On the other hand, Pasig City-based Patricia Benito outright questioned if Filipinos still have their freedom today.

“To be honest at this point, sa situation ng bansa natin, may totoong independence pa ba? Kasi kahit, oo given na independent tayo, pero kung araw-araw parang sinasakal ka lang ng gobyerno — slowly but surely — may halaga pa ba yung independence ( To be honest at this point, with our country’s situation, do we still have true independence? Even though we are independent, if our government seems to be stifling us — slowly but surely — does independence still have significance )?” she said.

Benito was referring to the controversial Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 (ATA) that took effect last year on July 18 in the country.

Under the anti-terror law — which expands on the Human Security Act of 2007 — incitement of terrorism can be done “by means of speeches, proclamations, writings, emblems, banners or other representations…without taking any direct part in the commission of terrorism.”

Those arrested and detained may be held for 14 to 24 days.

The law also enables the suspected “terrorist” to also be placed under surveillance for 60 days, extendable by up to 30 more days, by the police or the military.

“Siguro kung sa mababaw na interpretation, nasasabi ko freely yung gusto kong sabihin online or with my friends, pero kahit yung simpleng posts online honestly natatakot din ako na baka ma-red tag din ako dahil lang sa isang post ( Maybe in shallower interpretations, I can freely say what I want online or with my friends, but even the simple posts online, honestly I’m scared of being red-tagged too just because of a single post ),” Benito explained.

Meanwhile, Jomaica Lizardo, a BPO specialist in Quezon City, claimed that true independence means Filipinos being able to think critically for the country.

“I think the true Philippine independence would be pag nakakawala na tayo sa kulay and mas mag-isip na ng malawak para sa ikakabuti ng Pilipinas ( when we have gotten rid of our prejudices and we can broaden our way of thinking for the betterment of the Philippines ),” she said.

She also urged everyone to remember and emulate the bravery displayed by Filipino heroes who fought for the Philippines’ freedom as the country celebrates its Independence Day.

“Huwag natin sabihin na hayaan na lang yung mga dayuhan na sumasakop ng isla natin just because takot tayo sa giyera ( We shouldn’t say that we should just allow foreigners to take over our islands just because we’re scared of war ),” Lizardo said.

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This Day In History : June 12

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Philippine independence declared

During the Spanish-American War , Filipino rebels led by Emilio Aguinaldo proclaim the independence of the Philippines after 300 years of Spanish rule. By mid-August, Filipino rebels and U.S. troops had ousted the Spanish, but Aguinaldo’s hopes for independence were dashed when the United States formally annexed the Philippines as part of its peace treaty with Spain.

The Philippines, a large island archipelago situated off Southeast Asia, was colonized by the Spanish in the latter part of the 16th century. Opposition to Spanish rule began among Filipino priests, who resented Spanish domination of the Roman Catholic churches in the islands. In the late 19th century, Filipino intellectuals and the middle class began calling for independence. In 1892, the Katipunan, a secret revolutionary society, was formed in Manila, the Philippine capital on the island of Luzon. Membership grew dramatically, and in August 1896 the Spanish uncovered the Katipunan’s plans for rebellion, forcing premature action from the rebels. Revolts broke out across Luzon, and in March 1897, 28-year-old Emilio Aguinaldo became leader of the rebellion.

By late 1897, the revolutionaries had been driven into the hills southeast of Manila, and Aguinaldo negotiated an agreement with the Spanish. In exchange for financial compensation and a promise of reform in the Philippines, Aguinaldo and his generals would accept exile in Hong Kong. The rebel leaders departed, and the Philippine Revolution temporarily was at an end.

In April 1898, the Spanish-American War broke out over Spain’s brutal suppression of a rebellion in Cuba. The first in a series of decisive U.S. victories occurred on May 1, 1898, when the U.S. Asiatic Squadron under Commodore George Dewey annihilated the Spanish Pacific fleet at the Battle of Manila Bay in the Philippines. From his exile, Aguinaldo made arrangements with U.S. authorities to return to the Philippines and assist the United States in the war against Spain. He landed on May 19, rallied his revolutionaries, and began liberating towns south of Manila. On June 12, he proclaimed Philippine independence and established a provincial government, of which he subsequently became head.

His rebels, meanwhile, had encircled the Spanish in Manila and, with the support of Dewey’s squadron in Manila Bay, would surely have conquered the Spanish. Dewey, however, was waiting for U.S. ground troops, which began landing in July and took over the Filipino positions surrounding Manila. On August 8, the Spanish commander informed the United States that he would surrender the city under two conditions: The United States was to make the advance into the capital look like a battle, and under no conditions were the Filipino rebels to be allowed into the city. On August 13, the mock Battle of Manila was staged, and the Americans kept their promise to keep the Filipinos out after the city passed into their hands.

While the Americans occupied Manila and planned peace negotiations with Spain, Aguinaldo convened a revolutionary assembly, the Malolos, in September. They drew up a democratic constitution, the first ever in Asia, and a government was formed with Aguinaldo as president in January 1899. On February 4, what became known as the Philippine Insurrection began when Filipino rebels and U.S. troops skirmished inside American lines in Manila. Two days later, the U.S. Senate voted by one vote to ratify the Treaty of Paris with Spain. The Philippines were now a U.S. territory, acquired in exchange for $20 million in compensation to the Spanish.

In response, Aguinaldo formally launched a new revolt–this time against the United States. The rebels, consistently defeated in the open field, turned to guerrilla warfare, and the U.S. Congress authorized the deployment of 60,000 troops to subdue them. By the end of 1899, there were 65,000 U.S. troops in the Philippines, but the war dragged on. Many anti-imperialists in the United States, such as Democratic presidential candidate William Jennings Bryan , opposed U.S. annexation of the Philippines, but in November 1900 Republican incumbent William McKinley was reelected, and the war continued.

On March 23, 1901, in a daring operation, U.S. General Frederick Funston and a group of officers, pretending to be prisoners, surprised Aguinaldo in his stronghold in the Luzon village of Palanan and captured the rebel leader. Aguinaldo took an oath of allegiance to the United States and called for an end to the rebellion, but many of his followers fought on. During the next year, U.S. forces gradually pacified the Philippines. In an infamous episode, U.S. forces on the island of Samar retaliated against the massacre of a U.S. garrison by killing all men on the island above the age of 10. Many women and young children were also butchered. General Jacob Smith, who directed the atrocities, was court-martialed and forced to retire for turning Samar, in his words, into a “howling wilderness.”

In 1902, an American civil government took over administration of the Philippines, and the three-year Philippine insurrection was declared to be at an end. Scattered resistance, however, persisted for several years.

More than 4,000 Americans perished suppressing the Philippines–more than 10 times the number killed in the Spanish-American War. More than 20,000 Filipino insurgents were killed, and an unknown number of civilians perished.

In 1935, the Commonwealth of the Philippines was established with U.S. approval, and Manuel Quezon was elected the country’s first president. On July 4, 1946, full independence was granted to the Republic of the Philippines by the United States.

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The Story of June 12, 1898: The Philippine Declaration of Independence

June 12, 1898 is one of the most significant dates in philippine history..

June 12, 1898 is one of the most significant dates in Philippine history. On this day, General Emilio Aguinaldo formally proclaimed the independence of the Philippines from Spain after over 300 years of colonial rule.

The declaration took place in Aguinaldo’s ancestral home in Kawit, Cavite , with the Philippine flag being raised and the national anthem being played for the first time.

While the Kawit declaration did not receive immediate international recognition, it was a pivotal moment that asserted Filipino nationhood and sovereignty.

It came amidst a complex geopolitical situation, with the Philippine Revolution against Spain, the Spanish-American War , and the emerging American colonial era in the Philippines. The story behind the June 12, 1898 declaration provides insights into the Filipino struggle for self-determination.

Background: The Philippine Revolution

The roots of the June 12 declaration can be traced to the Philippine Revolution against Spanish colonial rule, which began in August 1896. Secret revolutionary societies like the Katipunan , founded by Andres Bonifacio , initiated an armed struggle for independence.

Emilio Aguinaldo , then the mayor of Kawit, Cavite, emerged as a leader of the revolution in Cavite.

After initial successes, Aguinaldo and other leaders accepted exile to Hong Kong in December 1897 with the Pact of Biak-na-Bato , which involved the Spanish paying the revolutionaries in exchange for a truce. However, they purchased weapons in Hong Kong to continue the fight .

The Spanish-American War and Aguinaldo’s Return

The situation changed dramatically with the outbreak of the Spanish-American War in April 1898. The United States, which had been monitoring the Cuban and Philippine revolutions against Spain, declared war after the USS Maine incident in Havana.

On May 1, 1898, the U.S. Asiatic Squadron under Commodore George Dewey decisively defeated the Spanish fleet in the Battle of Manila Bay . Aguinaldo, who had been communicating with U.S. officials, saw an opportunity to advance Philippine independence .

With Dewey’s help, Aguinaldo returned to the Philippines aboard the USS McCulloch on May 19. American forces provided his troops with weapons seized from the Spanish. Aguinaldo rallied his revolutionary forces and began liberating towns in Cavite .

The Declaration of Independence on June 12

On June 12, 1898 , a month after his return, Aguinaldo gathered revolutionary leaders and local representatives in his home in Kawit. There, between 4 and 5 p.m., he formally proclaimed the independence of the Philippines from Spain .

The event, attended by a huge crowd, involved the first public display of the Philippine flag sewn in Hong Kong by Marcela Agoncillo and her daughters. The Marcha Nacional Filipina , composed by Julian Felipe as the national anthem, was played by the San Francisco de Malabon band .

Ambrosio Rianzares Bautista prepared the Spanish text of the Act of the Declaration of Independence and read it at the gathering. The declaration was signed by 98 Filipinos appointed by Aguinaldo, as well as one American artillery officer, Colonel L.M. Johnson , who attended as a witness .

The declaration included a list of grievances against Spanish rule stretching back to Magellan’s arrival in 1521. It conferred on Aguinaldo the powers to lead the revolutionary government, including granting pardons and amnesty. The wording echoed parts of the U.S. Declaration of Independence .

Diplomatic Complexities and the Malolos Congress

Aguinaldo had hoped that the U.S. would recognize Philippine independence, similar to its stance towards Cuba .

However, American officials took no action that would suggest recognition of the declaration . The true intentions of the U.S. towards the Philippines remained unclear at this stage.

The declaration took place amidst a complex diplomatic situation, with other colonial powers like Germany, Britain, France and Japan having warships in Manila Bay to monitor the situation . Germany in particular showed interest in acquiring the Philippines if the U.S. did not .

On August 1, the June 12 proclamation was ratified by 190 municipal presidents from 16 provinces in Bacoor, Cavite . In September 1898, the Malolos Congress modified the declaration upon the urging of Apolinario Mabini, removing language that essentially placed the Philippines under American protection .

The Treaty of Paris and the Philippine-American War

The Spanish-American War ended with the Treaty of Paris signed on December 10, 1898. In the treaty, Spain ceded the Philippines to the United States for $20 million, along with Guam and Puerto Rico .

The treaty was not recognized by Aguinaldo’s government, which had not been represented in the negotiations. On January 23, 1899, the First Philippine Republic was formally established with the promulgation of the Malolos Constitution and Aguinaldo as president .

Tensions rose as it became clear that the U.S. would not recognize Philippine independence. On February 4, 1899, the Philippine-American War broke out and lasted until 1902. The U.S. prevailed against the Filipinos, and established the Insular Government to administer the islands as an American colony .

The Long Road to Internationally-Recognized Independence

The dream of June 12 remained unfulfilled for decades under U.S. colonial rule. The U.S. set up political institutions and prepared the Philippines for eventual self-rule, but full independence was slow in coming.

The Tydings-McDuffie Act of 1934 provided for the independence of the Philippines by 1946, after a 10-year transition period. World War II and the Japanese occupation from 1942-1945 intervened during this period.Finally, on July 4, 1946 , the United States granted independence to the Philippines.

The date was chosen by the U.S. to coincide with its own Independence Day. For many years, Filipinos celebrated July 4 as their Independence Day .

June 12 as the National Day of Independence

A strong tradition of celebrating June 12 as the true Independence Day persisted among Filipino historians and nationalists. In 1962, President Diosdado Macapagal issued Presidential Proclamation No. 28 which declared June 12 as Flag Day, emphasizing its importance .

On August 4, 1964, upon the advice of historians and the urging of nationalists, Macapagal signed Republic Act No. 4166 into law, designating June 12 as the country’s Independence Day . The law also renamed July 4 as Philippine Republic Day .

Since 1964, June 12 has been celebrated annually as the National Day of the Philippines, with ceremonies and programs across the country.

The day is a regular holiday , and government offices and schools are closed. The main commemoration usually takes place at Aguinaldo’s house in Kawit, which is now a national shrine .

The story of the June 12, 1898 Declaration of Independence in Kawit is central to the narrative of the Filipino people’s struggle for freedom and nationhood. While it did not immediately result in internationally recognized independence, it was a bold assertion of sovereignty against colonial rule.

The path from Kawit to true independence was long and arduous, with the Philippines experiencing American colonial rule and occupation by Japan before achieving full self-determination in 1946. The choice of June 12 as Independence Day in 1964 represents a recognition of the primacy of the Filipino revolutionary struggle.

Today, the declaration in Kawit is remembered as a defining moment in Philippine history, one that continues to inspire national pride and a striving for self-determination.

The complex events surrounding the declaration also provide a window into the geopolitical realities of the time, and the challenges faced by an emerging nation in asserting its place in the world.

Written by Louie Sison

My name is Louie and welcome to HyperLocal PH. Launched in February 2024, this website is dedicated to bringing you the most captivating and comprehensive stories about Filipino lifestyle, history, news, travel, and food. Join us in this journey!

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Talumpati sa Araw ng Kalayaan

This speech was given in the Filipino language by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during the 103rd Independence Day Celebration on June 12, 2001, at the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta.

Maraming salamat Secretary Richard Gordon.

Ang aking kabiyak , si Attorney Jose Miguel Arroyo; ang akin namang kabalikat sa pagpatakbo ng pamahalaan, si Vice President Teofisto Guingona, kasama na rin yung ibang mga kasapi ng gabinete; His Excellency Antonio Franco and the other members of the Diplomatic Corps; ating mga sundalo at mga pulis; mga kasapi ng senado; mga kasapi ng kamara; napakaraming narito, itong araw na ito — yung ating mga justices kasama na rin yung mga nagbibisita mga justice galing sa ibang bansa; mga opisyal ng pamahalaan; mga bisita; kayo, aking mga minamahal na kababayan:

Happy Independence Day sa inyong lahat.

Sa araw na ito ay ginugunita natin ang pagka-proklama ng kalayaan ng bayang Pilipinas.

Sa araw na ito ay tumatanaw tayo sa nakaraan.

Isandaan at tatlong taon na ang nakalipas mula noong nag-proklama sa Kawit, Cavite, ang ating kasarinlan ; at kung saan ay winagayway ang ating bandila, at tinugtog ang ating pambansang awit, bilang pagsilang ng isang bansang may karapatang maging malaya.

Bilang inyong pangulo, isang malaking karangalan para sa akin na batiin kayong lahat sa pagdiriwang ng 103rd na anibersaryo ng kalayaan ng ating bansa.

Muli pong mapagmalaki ng bawat pilipino ang naging tagumpay kamakailan lamang ng demokrasya sa ating bansa.

Ang araw ng kalayaan itong taong ito ay dapat higit na makabuluhan dahil dito sa mga panibagong tagumpay ng ating kasaysayan. Ang pagpanalo ng taong-bayan sa Edsa dos. Ang nabigong pagsisikap ng mga ambisyosong puwersa sa pagsamantala sa madla, at ang ating halalang nasyonal at lokal noong mayo katorse — lahat nito ay muling pinapatibay ang determinasyon ng Pilipino na manirahang malaya, demokratiko, at may dignidad sa bansa.

Sa araw na ito ay ginugunita natin ang nakaraan upang muling sariwain ang kagitingan ng lahing pilipino. At sa pamamagitan ng alaalang ito ay manumbalik sa atin ang lakas ng pagkakaisa at determinasyong magtagumpay at manguna sa anumang hamon ating haharapin sa mga darating pang panahon.

Sa lugar na ito, kung saan iginarote sina Padre Gomez, Burgos at Zamora; kung saan pinaslang ang ating pambansang bayani na si Jose Rizal; kung saan pinatay ng mga kastila ang maraming miyembro ng katipunan, tayo’y pinapaalala na ang ating kalayaan by pinagbuwisan ng buhay ng ating mga bayani.

Dito sa Luneta, limampu’t-limang taon nang nakaraan, ay itinaas muli ang bandila ng Pilipinas at ibinaba ang bandila ng Amerika at tayo’y naging isang malayang republika muli.

Dito rin sa Luneta ay prinoklama ng aking ama ang petsang ito bilang araw ng kasarinlan.

Habang nagdiriwang tayo nitong napaka-espesyal na pangyayari, alalahanin natin hindi lamang ang ating mga panibagong tagumpay kundi na rin ang mga hirap at pakikibaka ng ating mga ninuno upang gawin ang paraan para sa kalayaan ng Pilipinas. Hayaan ang kanilang dakilang sakripisyo maging inspirasyon natin habang tayo ay sumisikap ngayon na palakasin ang ating minamahal na republika bilang isang makapangyarihang ekonomiya at isang buhay ng dignidad at kapayapaan para sa bawat pilipino. Hayaan natin ang mga aral ng nakaraan, kasama ng siglo ng kasalukuyan na magbigay sa atin ng sipag at inspirasyon na kailangan natin upang makamit natin ang ating bahagi ng responsibilidad bilang pilipino sa siglo beinte-uno. Noon, nagkaisa tayo ng pagmamahal sa mga simbolo ng kasarinlan at kalayaan na ipinakita at narinig sa Kawit, Cavite: ang ating bandila, ang ating pambansang awit, ang ating mithiin na hindi na muling mapailalim ang ating tinubuang lupa sa anumang banyagang bansa.

Sa ating pagkakaisa noong mga nakaraang panahon, napakita ng Pilipinas na kaya niyang manguna sa sandaigdigan.

Ang pagdeklara ni heneral aguinaldo ng ating kasarinlan ang simula ng pagkatatag ng unang republika sa buong asya. Ito rin ang unang matagumpay na rebolusyon laban sa kolonyalismo sa buong kontinente. Ang ating republika at tagumpay laban sa kolonyalismo ang naging inspirasyon o simula ng pagnanais makawala ng iba nating karatig-bansa sa pananakop ng mga dayuhan.

Ang pambihirang pagkakaisa ng Sambayanang Pilipino sa edsa noong 1986 naman na People Power Revolution ay hindi lamang hinangaan sa buong mundo, ito rin ang nagsilbing inspirasyon upang matagumpay na makamit ng ibang bansa ang maging malaya at itanghal ang demokrasya sa mapayapang paraan.

Tunay nang nanguna ang ating bansa. Muli ay nagkaisa tayo sa Edsa dos upang mapalaya ang sambayanan mula sa malaganap na katiwalian. At nang ako ay naluklok bilang bagong pangulo, hiniling ko na isantabi na natin ang hidwaan at ‘di pagkakaunawaan. Sama-sama tayo muling itayo ang ating pagiging isang bansa.

Sa pagkakataong ito ay inuulit ko ang panawagan sa lahat ng ating mga kababayan na muli tayong magkaisa. Ating higpitan ang pagkakapit-bisig upang malunasan ang kahirapan at manguna tayong muli sa mga demokratikong diwa at gawa sa ating rehiyon.

Mahirap ang ating pagsisikap. May lumabas na balita na ang American hostage na si Ginoong Guillermo Sobero ay pinugutan na ng ulo ng Abu Sayyaf bilang regalo sa akin sa araw ng ating kalayaan.

Hindi pa namin nakukumpirma hanggang ngayon iyung report sa isang radio station sa Mindanao. Ginagawa ng armed forces ang lahat para makumpirma ang alegasyon ng mga tulisan.

Nagdarasal ako na sana ay walang katotohanan ang balitang ito. Umaasa pa rin ako na mangibabaw ang takot ng mga miyembro ng Abu Sayyaf sa panginoon.

Magkaganon man, ito’y nagpapatotoo lamang sa pagiging berdugo at mamamatay tao ang mga Abu Sayyaf na walang awa at walang patawad sa buhay ng tao para lamang makakuha ng salapi. Lumalabas na salapi ang kanilang panginoon.

Ang galit ng taong-bayan ay umaapaw na. Ang ginagawang pandurukot ng mga Abu Sayyaf sa mga inosenteng civilian ay labag sa batas ng kristiyanismo at ng Islam.

Huwag sanang akalain ng mga bandido na lumalambot ang pamahalaan.

Minamahal kong kapwa Pilipino, ang ating pakikibaka para sa kapayapaan, katahimikan at kalayaan ay hindi lamang dapat maiwan sa isang kabanata ng ating kasaysayan. Ito ay dapat magpatuloy ngayon at araw-araw sa ating mga buhay hanggang makaya natin maligtas ang lahat ng pilipino mula sa parusa ng labanan, pansamantala at kahirapan.

Wala pong katapusan ang ating pagsisikap tungo sa tunay na kapayapaan at kalayaan hanggang ang bawat pilipino –lalung-lalo na ang maliliit at maralita — ay nabubuhay na mapayapa, marangal at maunlad.

Ito po ang natatanging mithiing inaasahan kong panggagalingan ng pagkakaisa nating lahat ngayon at sa harap ng anumang hamon ng panahon.

Itong araw na ito, sa ating pagdiriwang ng 103rd na anibersaryo ng kalayaan ng Pilipinas, nananawagan ako sa lahat ng pilipino sa lahat ng lugar na tumulong sa pagtayo muli ng ating bansa tungo sa higit na kapayapaan, kaunlaran at prosperidad.

Ang araw na ito ang unang araw ng kalayaan sa Pilipinas sa bagong siglo at bagong milenyo. Ito rin ang unang araw ng kalayaan sa ilalim ng aking administrasyon. Sana ay magkaisa na ang buong bayan para makipagsabayan tayo.

Sa pagkakaisa ng layunin ng pamahalaan at taong-bayan, sa wakas ay sana makamit ng ating inang bayang Pilipinas ang kaginhawaan at kasiglahan na matagal na nitong pinapangarap.

Mga kababayan ko, sa gitna ng mga simbolo ng ating kasarinlan at kalayaan, humihingi ako ng inyong tulong at tulong ng poong maykapal. Samahan ninyo ako, magkapit-bisig tayong lahat upang ibalik ang kapayapaan at katahimikan sa ating kapuluan. Magkaisa tayo upang ganap na labanan ang kahirapan sa ating bansa. Magtulong-tulungan tayo upang mabilis na isulong ang ating ekonomiya at magdulot ito ng higit na kapakinabangan sa lahat ng ating mga kababayan.

Minamahal kong kapwa Pilipino, sa araw ng ating kasarinlan, mabuhay tayong lahat, mabuhay ang republika ng Pilipinas! Maligayang araw ng kalayaan sa inyong lahat! At bayan, tayo ay magkaisa!

Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat.