Plaza Quince Martires, Naga City
12 June 2014
President Benigno S. Aquino III paid tribute to the 15 Bikol martyrs in this year’s commemoration of the 116th anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence held at Plaza Quince Martires in Naga City.
In his message, President Aquino called on every Filipino to draw inspiration from the heroes and martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the name of independence and contribute to overall nation-building.
“Isapuso natin ang iniwan nilang aral: ang malasakit sa ating kapwa ang maghahatid sa atin sa mga inaasam natin bilang isang lahi,” he said.
President Aquino also compared the allegations of politicians implicated in the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) scam for what they say was the lack of due process in the justice system, and related it to what the 15 Bikol martyrs suffered from when they were arrested and sentenced to death by firing squad over mere suspicion for opposing the Spanish government.
“Sinunod natin ang tamang proseso: nagsagawa ng imbestigasyon, nangalap ng mga ebidensiya, at ngayon ay nagsampa ng kaso. Puwede naman itong ginawa noon nang mabilisan at walang matibay na basehan upang masira ang pangalan ng mga kandidatong dawit sa kontrobersiya, pero kayo na po ang saksi, idinaan natin sa tamang sistema ang pagpapalabas ng katotohanan,” he said.
The President announced several government projects for the region like the Bicol International Airport being built in Daraga, Albay, the proposed one-stop Migrants Resource Center in Naga City, and the Philippine National Railways charter extension passed by Congress that will open up opportunities to boost the economy of the province.
Dubbed as “Kalayaan 2014: Pagsunod sa Yapak ng mga Dakilang Pilipino, Tungo sa Malawakan at Permanenteng Pagbabago,” the event holds several government services nationwide.
The traditional ‘Toast in Honor’ or Vin d’ Honneur, a cocktail reception for the members of the diplomatic community, follows in Malacañang after the President’s activity in Naga City.
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