The lack of concern for the needs of the people is the true foe of freedom, President Marcos said on Independence Day as he slammed government officials who abuse their positions and abandon their duties.

Speaking at the celebration of the 127th anniversary of Philippine Independence and Nationhood on Thursday, June 12, Marcos called for accountability on the issues concerning high prices of food, damaged roads, and power crisis.

His Independence Day speech came a day after his visits in Siquijor, which has been experiencing weeks of island-wide blackouts and rotational brownouts; and Tacloban City to inspect the San Juanico Bridge, which has reached critical condition.

Marcos stressed that freedom and democracy, like love for the country, must be nurtured and fought for.

"Dahil ang totoong kalaban ng kalayaan ay ang pagiging manhid. Manhid sa hinaing ng taumbayan. Manhid sa kalagayan ng ating kapwa. Manhid sa kapakanan ng ating bansa (Because the true enemy of freedom is apathy. Apathy toward the cries of the people. Apathy toward the condition of our fellow citizens. Apathy toward the welfare of our nation)," Marcos said.

"Pananagutan. ‘Yan ang sigaw ng sambayanan. Mula sa sirang tulay, kalsada, mahal na pagkain, kakulangan ng kuryente—ang nais ng taumbayan ay tunay na pagkilos at serbisyo (Accountability—that is the cry of the people. From damaged bridges and roads, to high food prices, to power shortages—what the people want is real action and genuine service)," Marcos added.

The President underscored that the solution for these problems lies in improving the lives of every Filipino, which is the center of public service that government officials must uphold.

"Bilisan ang pagtugon sa pangangailangan ng ating mga kababayan, taasan ang kalidad ng serbisyo, at i-wasto ang ating pagkukulan (We must hasten our response to the needs of our fellow citizens, raise the quality of our services, and correct our shortcomings)," he said.

"Papanagutin natin hindi lang ang mga umaabuso sa tungkulin, maging ang mga nagkukulang sa paglilingkod (We must hold accountable not only those who abuse their positions, but also those who fall short in their duties)," he added.

He further stressed that Filipinos will truly feel freedom when there is food on the table, proper transportation, medicine for the sick, and dignity for every worker.

He then called on the people to continue fighting for independence, saying that looking at what is happening around the world today, "freedom is fleeting; fake news, misinformation, herd mentality can erase our way of life, our culture, our value system that we hold so dear."

"Huwag nating kakalimutan na ang kalayaan ay hindi ibinibigay (Let us not forget that freedom is not given)," Marcos said.

Marcos lamented that there are still some Filipinos who insist on false beliefs for the interests of others, and not the Filipino people.

He said endless lies are actually a plague on freedom.

"Ang mga kasinungalingang walang hangganan—mga balitang walang katotohanan at maling impormasyon— ito ang mga salot sa ating kalayaan (Endless lies—false news and misinformation—these are the plagues on our freedom)," he said.

"Nakakalungkot din na may ilan din sa ating mga kababayan ay pinipilit ang maling paniniwala para sa interes ng iba at hindi para sa kapakanan ng ating mga kababayang Pilipino (It is also disheartening that some of our fellow countrymen insist on false beliefs for the interest of others, not for the welfare of the Filipino people)," he added.

The President called on Filipinos to always be discerning, to seek the truth, and fight against lies.

He told them to choose to be honest, even when no one is watching, choose to stand up, especially when something is wrong, and choose unity amid diversity.