This year’s theme of Independence Day is Kalayaan, Kasaysayan, Kinabukasan (Freedom, History and the Future). The celebration commemorated our country’s declaration of independence from Spain in 1898. That day on the 12th of June 127 years ago marked the end of the Spanish colonial rule, and the beginning of Filipino self-determination.
The late President Diosdado Macapagal appealed to nationalist sentiments by shifting the commemoration of Philippine Independence Day. On May 12, 1962, he signed a proclamation which declared Tuesday, June 12, 1962, as a special public holiday, in commemoration of the declaration of independence from Spain on that date in 1898 — instead of July 4, which commemorated the Philippines’ independence from the United States.
National independence refers to the freedom of colonies from an empire, allowing them to govern themselves without external control.
A famous quote from Andres Bonifacio: Reason teaches us to be united in will, united in thought, and united in purpose, and that we might have strength to combat the prevailing evil in our Nation. This quote emphasizes the importance of unity and collective action in achieving a common goal.
The post-independence era was marked by political instability, economic challenges, and social transformation. Ferdinand Marcos Sr.’s rule saw significant political repression and human rights abuses.
The Martial Law period, officially declared through Proclamation No. 1081, lasted from Sept. 23, 1972 to Jan. 17, 1981, marking a significant period of authoritarian rule under Marcos.
While the formal proclamation was lifted on Jan. 17, 1981, Marcos retained considerable power, and continued to rule until his exile on Feb. 25, 1986, following the EDSA People Power Revolution.
Reflecting on this year’s theme, it is important to note the present threats to our independence.
The nation continues to struggle with poverty, inequality, corruption, and people who are left behind due to lack of access to government resources, or sheer lack of basic services like health care and quality education.
The public has been waiting for the government to truly respond to the urgent needs of the people.
In addition to these internal threats, China has threatened the nation’s sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea. Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian said that China has “advised” the Philippines to oppose Taiwan independence, and stoking the fire by offering the US access to the military bases near the Taiwan Strait — if it cares genuinely about the 150,000 OFWs.The envoy reiterated that the US intends to use the additional Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement sites to push for its own interests and agenda “at the expense of peace and development of the Philippines and the region at large.”
In the words of Russian philosopher and writer Ayn Rand: “ We are fast approaching the ultimate inversion: the stage where the government is free to do anything it pleases, while the citizens may act only by its permission…When the law no longer protects you from the corrupt, but protects the corrupt from you, know your nation is doomed.”
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Author’s email: whelmayap@yahoo.com
