Senator Loren Legarda on Sunday, September 15 urged Filipinos to remember the importance of the historic opening of the Malolos Congress and use it as a reminder to uphold the country's independence.

In commemorating the 126th anniversary of the opening of the Malolos Congress, Legarda underscored the importance of the historic event as a reminder to treasure and uphold the independence the Philippines continues to enjoy.

“The events of the past have already imparted us invaluable lessons about our struggle for independence. We owe this hard-earned independence to our forefathers, whose dedicated efforts and courage freed our nation from foreign oppression,” said Legarda.

Legarda pointed out the Barasoain Church in Malolos witnessed one of the most important moments in Philippine history, where representatives from across the country crafted one of the earliest republican constitutions in Asia.

The senator stressed that the formation of the legislative body of the Revolutionary Government of the Philippines laid the foundation for the country’s nearly 60-year struggle for recognition as an independent nation, enduring two major wars that almost decimated the country.

Legarda also took pride in her connection to this historic event, noting that her great-grandfather, Ariston Gella, the first pharmacist of Antique, was among the delegates who contributed to crafting the Malolos Constitution.

“The Malolos Congress serves as a reminder for us, public servants, to always uphold the rule of law and put the best interests of the Filipino people forward,” she said.

“Our predecessors showed us that there is hope and the opportunity to build a lasting national identity – an identity that we can be proud of, one that has consistently proven its strength and resilience against adversity,” the lawmaker added.

“We have come a long way since those humble days in 1898, and with the challenges and lessons from the past, we continue to strive to become a better version of ourselves as a nation,” she further said.