Robredo says Filipinos should emulate Rizal as 'symbol of reform'
Published Dec 30, 2019 12:00 am
By Raymund Antonio
Vice President Leni Robredo on Monday said that Filipinos should emulate Dr. Jose Rizal, who she extolled as a symbol of reform in the country, as the nation marked the 123rd death anniversary of the Philippine hero.
Vice-President Leni Robredo
(Mark Balmores / MANILA BULLETIN) The highest-ranking woman in government stressed that in these times of challenges, Rizal stood as a reminder of his valuable “contributions and lessons” to all Filipinos in present day. “Sa panahong ito kung kailan sinusubok tayo bilang isang sambayanan ng napakaraming hamon, alalahanin at isabuhay natin ang sigasig ni Rizal sa pagsulong ng mga reporma sa ating bansa at ng pagkakapantay-pantay ng bawat Pilipino,” Robredo said. (In these times when we are being tested by a lot of challenges, let us remember and live up to the symbol of Rizal who pushed for reforms in the country and equality of every Filipino.) “Buong tapang niyang ipinaglaban ang ating mga karapatan, tangan ang paniniwala na makakamit lamang natin ang tunay na pagbabago para sa lahat kung mananatili tayong totoo sa ating mga paninindigan,” she said of Rizal. (He bravely fought for our rights, holding on to beliefs that we can only achieve true change for everyone if we will remain true to our principles we stand for.) Robredo made the statement in her message 123 years after Rizal’s martyrdom. He was executed by firing squad in Bagumbayan, now the Luneta Park in Manila, on December 30, 1896 for treason. Filipinos annually commemorate Rizal's death with wreath-laying ceremonies in various places in the country, but Robredo was not invited to any event unlike last year when she led the flag ceremony and offering of wreath at Luneta Park. The Vice President, who is the leader of the opposition, quoted a letter from Rizal to his friend Ferdinand Blumentritt: “We want the happiness of the Philippines, but we want to obtain it through noble and just means, for right is on our side and therefore we ought not to do anything wrong.” “If I have to act villainously in order to make my country happy, I would refuse to do it because I am sure that what is built on sand sooner or later would tumble down,” Rizal continued. In her message, Robredo told the public that the effective solution to the country’s problems was by doing what was right. “Hindi natin makakamit ang tunay na pag-unlad sa pamamagitan ng mga madalian at brutal na solusyon, lalo na iyong tahasang tumataliwas sa ating mga batas.” Robredo said. (We can’t achieve real progress through quick and brutal solutions, especially if it is a brazen violation of our laws.) “Manatili sana tayong matatag sa ating mga prinsipyo at paninindigan, nang sa gayon ay makamit natin ang pagbabago na walang naiiwan at nagbibigay ng katarungan para sa lahat,” she added. (Let us remain steadfast to our principles and conviction so we would be able to achieve change without someone left behind and bring justice to everyone.)
Vice-President Leni Robredo(Mark Balmores / MANILA BULLETIN) The highest-ranking woman in government stressed that in these times of challenges, Rizal stood as a reminder of his valuable “contributions and lessons” to all Filipinos in present day. “Sa panahong ito kung kailan sinusubok tayo bilang isang sambayanan ng napakaraming hamon, alalahanin at isabuhay natin ang sigasig ni Rizal sa pagsulong ng mga reporma sa ating bansa at ng pagkakapantay-pantay ng bawat Pilipino,” Robredo said. (In these times when we are being tested by a lot of challenges, let us remember and live up to the symbol of Rizal who pushed for reforms in the country and equality of every Filipino.) “Buong tapang niyang ipinaglaban ang ating mga karapatan, tangan ang paniniwala na makakamit lamang natin ang tunay na pagbabago para sa lahat kung mananatili tayong totoo sa ating mga paninindigan,” she said of Rizal. (He bravely fought for our rights, holding on to beliefs that we can only achieve true change for everyone if we will remain true to our principles we stand for.) Robredo made the statement in her message 123 years after Rizal’s martyrdom. He was executed by firing squad in Bagumbayan, now the Luneta Park in Manila, on December 30, 1896 for treason. Filipinos annually commemorate Rizal's death with wreath-laying ceremonies in various places in the country, but Robredo was not invited to any event unlike last year when she led the flag ceremony and offering of wreath at Luneta Park. The Vice President, who is the leader of the opposition, quoted a letter from Rizal to his friend Ferdinand Blumentritt: “We want the happiness of the Philippines, but we want to obtain it through noble and just means, for right is on our side and therefore we ought not to do anything wrong.” “If I have to act villainously in order to make my country happy, I would refuse to do it because I am sure that what is built on sand sooner or later would tumble down,” Rizal continued. In her message, Robredo told the public that the effective solution to the country’s problems was by doing what was right. “Hindi natin makakamit ang tunay na pag-unlad sa pamamagitan ng mga madalian at brutal na solusyon, lalo na iyong tahasang tumataliwas sa ating mga batas.” Robredo said. (We can’t achieve real progress through quick and brutal solutions, especially if it is a brazen violation of our laws.) “Manatili sana tayong matatag sa ating mga prinsipyo at paninindigan, nang sa gayon ay makamit natin ang pagbabago na walang naiiwan at nagbibigay ng katarungan para sa lahat,” she added. (Let us remain steadfast to our principles and conviction so we would be able to achieve change without someone left behind and bring justice to everyone.)