President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday joined the nation in commemorating the 157th birth anniversary of Andres Bonifacio, urging Filipinos to draw inspiration from the heroism of the supreme leader (Supremo) of the Katipunan amid the prevailing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) health crisis.
“Today as we honor great Filipino hero Andres Bonifacio, we also honor our heroic frontliners especially our health workers—healthcare workers and uniformed personnel. They offered their lives selflessly in the service of our nation and people. Saludo ako sa inyo, ganoon na lang,” the President said in a televised briefing on Monday night.
In a taped speech played at the wreath-laying event at the national hero’s monument in Caloocan City in the morning, Duterte cited Bonifacio’s legacy of sparking the fires of a revolution that awakened national consciousness and served as the foundation of this Republic.
“His love of country which aroused our ancestors to fight for our freedom and secure our rightful place in the community of nations is very vital,” he said.
Duterte was represented by Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana in the ceremony. The President attended the commemoration last year.
Duterte asked Filipinos to take a leaf from Bonifacio’s values that helped him stage actions that changed the course of history.
“Now, more than ever, as we overcome the challenges of COVID-19 pandemic, as we remember his life and deeds, may the values he fought for inspiring us all to become worthy heirs of a just, progressive and inclusive society that he envisioned more than a century ago,” he said.
He hopes that Bonifacio’s bravery in rebelling against Spain’s colonization would serve as an example for Filipinos in the fight towards a more progressive Philippines.
“Fueled by Bonifacio’s extraordinary courage and determination, let us surmount the many challenges ahead and secure a much better and brighter future for every Filipino,” he added.
Vice President Leni Robredo herself in a statement said Bonifacio was most known for being courageous, adding: “This courage is not for show. This courage doesn't easily fold because of the difficulty of the path ahead."
"What Bonifacio exemplifies is not the cosmetic courage of bluster, or power, or brute strength; it is the courage of compassion."
In a separate statement, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar enjoined Filipinos to emulate Bonifacio’s nationalism and aspire to be modern heroes to overcome the country’s societal problems.
“Let us pay tribute to the Father of Philippine Revolution by remembering Gat Andres Bonifacio’s fervor, alongside our other heroes, in pursuit of our country's emancipation from its colonizers,” he said.
Driven by Bonifacio’s thirst for independence, Andanar was optimistic that it would “propel” the nation towards justice, prosperity, tranquility, comfortable life for all Filipinos, and recovery.
“May his bravery and courage, that helped to awaken in our forefathers the desire for liberation and self-determination, be a source of inspiration to all Filipinos as well as be a source of strength as we continue to face societal ills and challenges such as poverty, insurgency, terrorism, corruption, illegal drugs, and recently, the COVID-19 pandemic,” he added.
Under Republic Act 2946, November 30 of every year is a regular holiday to commemorate Bonifacio’s birth anniversary.
Workers in the private sector are expected to get paid twice their regular daily wages on Bonifacio Day, a regular holiday, which falls on Monday this year.