Malacañang said on Thursday that President Rodrigo Duterte was not able to attend the commemoration of the 154th birth anniversary of Andres Bonifacio in Caloocan City due to a “commitment in Mindanao.”
In a short message sent to reporters, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the President would be visiting an undisclosed conflict-ridden area in the south.
“Commitment in Minda [Mindanao]. Can’t disclose sked [schedule] but he’s going to a conflict-ridden area,” the message read.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana instead led the flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremonies at the Bonifacio National Shrine as Duterte’s representative.
Also present were Vice President Leni Robredo, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero, local government leaders led by Caloocan City Mayor Oscar Malapitan, and representatives of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, among others.
Meanwhile, Senate President Aquilino ‘Koko’ Pimentel III said Bonifacio’s desire to improve the quality of life of Filipinos and his dedication had made him great.
Joining the observance of Bonifacio’s 154th birthday, Pimentel said Bonifacio’s life story resonates among Filipinos—he stopped school at an early age to support his siblings through his labor.
“He wanted a better life for his family. He became great because he went beyond his family and also worked for an improved quality of life for all Filipinos,” said Pimentel.
Although remembered primarily as a revolutionary, Pimentel noted that Bonifacio aimed to reform the system from within at the beginning, when he joined La Liga Filipina.
Pimentel said, “Bonifacio was a reformist, radicalized by the systemic injustice of the Spanish colonial regime. But some of the problems Bonfacio faced still exists, even more than a hundred years after the Spanish colonial regime was overthrown.”
For Pimentel, who is also President of the ruling party PDP Laban, whose Chairman is President Rodrigo Duterte, this is the reason why his party advocates a systemic change through the shift to Federalism.
Pimentel said, “Bonifacio wanted to change the system because it wasn’t working for the benefit of all. This is also what we want to accomplish in PDP Laban—a peaceful Change through the shift to Federalism which would help solve age-old problems of poverty, injustice, and inequality.”
The Senate President added, “My dream is that one day, we can say that we were able to fulfill Bonifacio’s vision, that we built a Philippine society that benefits all Filipinos.”
violence and daily killings’ as they reflect on the strength and courage of Bonifacio.
She said true change would only come when violence, oppression and injustices happening in the country stop.
She also asked the people to continue fighting for their rights and not to get tired of speaking up against the government’s deadly and unjust policies.
A staunch critic of injustices happening in the country since Duterte became the country’s President, De Lima vowed to protect human rights even while in detention for what she claimed as trumped-up drug charges fabricated by the present administration.
Senator Joel Villanueva said the lessons we learn from Bonifacio should teach us to value the institutions that uphold our democracy and our freedom.
“May his example ingrain in us a deep sense of nationalism and passion to become future drivers of growth and leaders in nation-building,” he said.
He noted that the heroic deeds of Bonifacio should further motivate and inspire each of us more than ever to be critical, assertive, and proactive in finding solutions to our country’s pressing problems
“Today, we commemorate the bravery of one of our nation’s heroes—Andres Bonifacio. Known as the “Father of the Philippine Revolution,” Bonifacio started a movement that defied colonial rule and granted us independence.”
“His unwavering spirit and thirst for change shown in his leadership as Katipunan’s Supremo led to a historic uprising which saw the power of collective action in pursuit of one patriotic goal: to defend our Motherland and free our countrymen from the shackles of an abusive system,” further added Villanueva.
Senator Gringo Honasan said the country remembers Bonifacio, as someone who dreamed of a strong and sovereign Nation for the next generation of Filipinos.
“We celebrate his courage, struggle, vision and sacrifice for the freedoms we now enjoy and must together work hard to earn and keep. God bless our Country and children,” he added.