House Speaker Martin Romualdez (Speaker’s office)

With freedom comes responsibility.

This, in a nutshell was House Speaker Martin Romualdez's message to Filipinos on Wednesday, June 12, on the occasion of the Philippines' 126th Independence Day.

“Ang kalayaan ay hindi lamang isang pribilehiyo kundi isang responsibilidad," Romualdez said in his speech at the historic Barasoain Church, in Malolos, Bulacan, where the first democratic republic in Asia was born.

(Freedom is not just a privilege, but also a responsibility.)

'Tayo, bilang mga Pilipino sa makabagong panahon, ay may tungkuling ipagpatuloy ang laban para sa kalayaan—hindi lamang laban sa mga mananakop, kundi laban sa kahirapan, katiwalian, at kawalan ng katarungan,” he said.

(We, the Filipinos of the modern era, have the responsibility to continue the fight for freedom--not just against invaders, but against poverty, corruption, and the dearth of justice.)

Romualdez, President Marcos' top ally in the legislature, gave these remarks amid heightened tensions between the Philippines and China stemming from the latter’s blatant incursions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Romualdez and Marcos have consistently denounced Beijing’s actions in the WPS, which have included the continued harassment of Filipino fishermen and supply missions to the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal.

Other members of the House of Representatives and local officials led by Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando attended the simple celebration.

“Sa araw na ito, hindi lamang natin ginugunita ang kanilang kabayanihan kundi tinatanggap din natin ang hamon na kanilang iniwan,” Romualdez said of country’s patriotic forebears.

(On this day, we not only commemorate their heroism, but we also accept the challenge that they left us.)

The leader of the 300-plus-strong House said it was an honor and a privilege to be given the opportunity to address them on Independence Day.

Romualdez noted that the historic church is witness to the founding of the 1898 Congress, which held its first session there and where the Malolos Constitution was written.

“Ang mga sakripisyo at kabayanihan ng ating mga ninuno dito sa Barasoain ay isang paalala sa atin ng tunay na diwa ng kalayaan. Sa kanilang tapang at determinasyon, natamo natin ang ating kalayaan. Sila ang nagbigay ng daan upang tayo ay mamuhay nang malaya at marangal.

(The sacrifices and heroism of our ancestors here in Barasoain is a reminder of the true spirit of freedom. It's thanks to their courage and determination that we achieved our freedom. They paved the way for us to be able to live freely and honorably.)

"Dito sa Simbahan ng Barasoain, nagbuklod-buklod ang ating mga ninuno upang itaguyod ang isang bansang malaya at may dignidad,” he said.

(Here at Barasoain, our forebears banded together in pursuit of a country that's free and with dignity.)