Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo underscored the “importance of progress and individual dignity” in the Filipinos’ efforts to attain genuine freedom and independence.
Gesmundo led the flag-raising ceremony on Sunday, June 12, at the Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan City in commemoration of the country’s 124th Independence Day celebration.
He told the crowd gathering during the ceremony:
“Ang kalayaan ay magiging makabuluhan lamang kung ito ay patungo sa kaunlaran ng buong pamayanan at hindi ng iilan lamang. Ang kalayaan ay magiging ganap lamang kung ang bawat Pilipino ay may dignidad anuman ang kanyang katayuan sa buhay. (Freedom is meaningful only if it is for the progress of everyone, not only a few. Freedom is truly achieved if every Filipino has dignity regardless of his status in life.)
The Chief Justice said that the Judiciary is one with the nation in commemorating the 124th anniversary of the declaration of Philippine Independence, and urged everyone “to preserve and nurture the rights and the freedom that Filipinos have so gallantly fought for.”
He also paid tribute to “every Filipino hero, whether known or unknown in the annals of Philippine history, who contributed in the country’s struggle to gain its independence.”
“Kaya sa okasyong ito, ang panawagan ko sa sambayanang Pilipino: pangalagaan at pagyamanin natin ang mga karapatan at kalayaang ipinamana sa atin (Thus, on this occasion, my call to every Filipino: Let us preserve and treasure all the rights and freedoms endowed to us.),” Gesmundo said.
Caloocan City Mayor Oscar Malapitan, Vice Mayor Luis Macario Asistio, Caloocan 1st District Rep. Dale Gonzalo Malapitan, National Historical Commission of the Philippines OIC-Deputy Executive Director Alvin Alcid, Caloocan Chief of Police Col. Samuel Mina, and Caloocan Bureau of Fire Protection Superintendent Roberto Samillano joined Gesmundo during the flag-raising ceremony.
With the Chief Justice from the Judiciary were Assistant Court Administrator and Chief of the SC Public Information Office Atty. Brian Keith F. Hosaka and judges from the regional trial courts and the metropolitan trial courts in Caloocan City.