As the Philippines celebrates its 127th Independence Day, senators called for stronger unity and cooperation among Filipinos despite the political issues hounding the country.

Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero, who attended the Independence Day rites at the  Barasoain Church in Malolos, Bulacan, said he believes Filipinos can overcome the challenges hounding the nation at the moment.

Unfortunately, Escudero, who is acting as presiding judge of the Senate impeachment court, said the discord among the people is apparent, and instead of increasing unity efforts and trusting the process, are fighting over political issues.

“Instead of uniting towards a paradise that our countrymen aspire to, we are trying to fight with our fellow Filipinos whom we seem to love watching and experiencing,” Escudero said in his speech in Filipino.

“Unity is the key to progress, harmony is the path to true change in our country. And if only the combined strength of the young and the old, educated or not, with or without appearance, regardless of gender, is true harmony. I see no reason why we cannot overcome any challenge and trial that destiny is currently throwing at us,” the Senate leader said.

Escudero further expressed hope that as the country celebrates the 127th anniversary of the declaration of the country’s independence in 1898, Filipinos will exercise political maturity.

“Our country is old, more than a hundred years old. We no longer have reason to say that we are young and that we are just practicing. Hopefully, instead of trying to repeat the mistakes of the previous generation, we can learn from our history,” the Senate chief said.

“Instead of trying to repeat the strife and conflict that we have seen in the past decades and centuries. Hopefully, we can change that and find what unites us,” he pointed out.

For Sen. Loren Legarda, freedom is not merely a commemoration of history but a daily commitment to principles that safeguard the environment, uplift education, preserve culture, and ensure social equity.

“Freedom includes protecting the environment. The Philippines is one of the countries most at risk of disaster and the worsening climate crisis,” Legarda said in her keynote address at the Pamintuan Mansion in Angeles City, Pampanga, where she led the flag-raising ceremony.

“Every storm and flood is a reminder that part of our fight for freedom is protecting the nature that is our home,” she added.

Meanwhile, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said this year’s commemoration of Independence day

“is a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made for our sovereignty and the enduring spirit of the Filipino people.”

However, Gatchalian said true independence will remain elusive for as long as many Filipinos still grapple with the chains of indigence, joblessness, and learning deprivation.

“As a nation, we must dedicate ourselves to overcoming these challenges to achieve greater freedom for every Filipino and a more prosperous life for future generations,” Gatchalian said.