Noy tells Pinoys to pursue freedom from poverty, corruption

 MANILA, Philippines - On the 114th anniversary of Philippine independence on Tuesday, President Benigno Simeon Aquino III reminded Filipinos that the country's fight for freedom from corruption and poverty should be the entire nation's effort.

"Taas-noo rin tayong maglakbay tungo sa isang Pilipinas na malaya, hindi lamang sa panggigipit ng mga dayuhan, kundi lalo na sa kurapsyon, gutom at kawalang-katarungan. Buwagin natin ang bartolina ng kadamutan at pagkakanya-kanya; kumalag tayo mula sa tanikala ng pagbabatuhang-sisi at pagwawalang-bahala. Ito ang kahulugan ng tunay na kalayaan," Aquino said in his speech at the Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan.

The church had been the venue of three historic events in the country: the convening of the First Philippines Congress in 1898, the drafting of the Malolos Constitution from 1898 to 1899 and the inauguration of the First Philippine Republic in 1899.

Aquino also said that from the start of his political career as a Tarlac congressman, he has always upheld the Constitution.

"Naging saksi ang buong bansa nang nilitis si Ginoong Corona, ang dating Punong Mahistrado. Inabot ng limang buwan ang prosesong ito. Gayumpaman, pinatingkad nito ang diwa ng ating demokrasya. Karapatan ng mga Pilipinong malaman ang katotohanan at maramdamang buhay ang demokratikong sistema sa bansa. Muli rin nitong idiniin sa ating mga lingkod-bayan na ang kapangyarihang ipinahiram sa kanila ni Juan dela Cruz ay may kaakibat na responsibilidad at pananagutan," he said.

Aquino added that corruption in the government became widespread because Filipinos tolerated it.

The President also said for the 115th commemoration of the Philippine independence next year, he will lead the celebrations at the Pinaglabanan Shrine in San Juan City. The shrine memorialized the first shots of the Katipuneros against the Spanish colonizers in 1896.

For the suceeding years, he said celebrations will also be held in th Visayas and Mindanao.

"Bakit taun-taon tayong lumilipat sa iba’t ibang makasaysayang lugar? Upang iparamdam na ang ating kasarinlan ay hindi lamang nangyari sa Kawit, o dito sa Malolos, o sa Luzon lamang," he said.