GMA leads nation on 110th Independence Day today

MANILA, Philippines – President Arroyo will lead the nation in celebrating the 110th anniversary of the country’s independence today with a flag raising and wreath laying event at the Rizal Park in Manila.

Simultaneous flag raising and wreath laying rites will be held at the Aguinaldo Shrine in Cavite to be led by Vice President Noli de Castro; Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan with Speaker Prospero Nograles; Mausoleo de los Veteranos de la Revolucion at the Manila North Cemetery with Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro; Bonifacio National Monument in Caloocan City with Chief Justice Reynato Puno; Pinaglabanan Memorial Shrine in San Juan City with Senate President Manuel Villar; Cebu City with Health Secretary Francisco Duque; Davao City with Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza; and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao with Agrarian Reform Secretary Nasser Pangandaman.

As instructed by the President, the Cabinet members would spread out across the country to deliver various services to the masses.

Presidential Management Staff director general Cerge Remonde said the government chose to do away with the usual parades this year and instead go for a different celebration “to bring the administration closer to the people.”

The President will later host a cocktail reception for the diplomatic corps at 6 p.m. at Malacañang. The vin d’honneur will feature a rigodon de honor, reviving a tradition of independence day celebrations dating back to the time of Governor general William Taft.

The formal dance will have 40 participants or 20 pairs, including Cabinet Secretaries Arthur Yap and Peter Favila, Reps. Dato Arroyo, Robi Puno and Martin Romualdez, Ambassadors Kristie Kenney and David Pine, and other government officials and social figures. 

In her Independence Day message, the President emphasized that her administration has staunchly protected and strengthened the vibrant democracy that was restored during the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution.

“Our political discourse is vibrant, our press is free, our Constitution shelters all who seek its protection and embrace the rule of law,” the President said.

“We have tackled our unfortunate legacy of political violence whether it is in the Philippines or abroad with foreign leaders and human rights organizations,” the President added.

Mrs. Arroyo said that the government has been successful in reducing cases of unexplained killings since the formation of the Melo Commission.

“Extrajudicial killings are down and prosecutions are up. We will not be satisfied until we are at zero, but we are making progress,” the President said.

The President also cited the government’s efforts in protecting the people from the rise in the prices of oil and rice in the world market.

“We are delivering investments in three critical areas, what we call the three Es, namely: the economy, the environment and education. These issues are central to lifting our nation up and getting it ready for the next generation of leaders,” the President said.

She said the country is now in a vastly improved position to weather the global high prices than at any other time in recent memory.

Mrs. Arroyo also paid tribute to the Filipino workers here and overseas who have been widely accepted for their hard work and skills.

“With solidarity, sacrifice and singular purpose, our heroes brought forth a new nation. With the same love of country binding all Filipinos, we too shall achieve for the Philippines and all its people the blessings of freedom, justice and progress and our esteemed place among the great nations of the world,” the President said.