Senator Loren Legarda urged Filipinos on Friday, June 19 to remember that the best tribute to Dr. Jose Rizal would be to live a life of purpose and to make sure that justice and truth are non-negotiable.

Legarda made the call as the nation commemorates the 165th birth anniversary of Dr. José Rizal on June 19, as she reflected on how the national hero’s vision continue to guide Filipinos through times of change.

“Rizal believed that freedom carries responsibility to one another, to our communities, and to generations yet to come,” Legarda said in a statement.

“The best tribute we can offer him is to live with purpose, to build a society where justice and truth are non‑negotiable,” she said.

The former Senate president pro tempore also emphasized that Rizal’s ideals of truth, education, and patriotism remain vital as the Philippines confronts challenges, and reminds leaders and citizens alike that unity and collective work are the foundation of progress.

She cited a passage from Noli Me Tangere, Chapter 25 (“In the House of the Philosopher”), during the dialogue between Crisóstomo Ibarra and Pilosopo Tasio, where Ibarra reflects on his plan to build a school amid Tasio’s warning about power and influence in pursuing reform. 

In that moment, Ibarra expresses his sense of patriotism and identity while asserting that such loyalties should not require him to submit his dignity to unjust authority. 

This particular chapter reflects Rizal’s exploration of the tension between idealism and political reality, showing how reforms such as education are often shaped and constrained by entrenched systems of power and influence, Legarda pointed out.

“Rizal’s courage was expressed in his insistence that conscience must prevail over silence. His life compels us to ask: are we defending truth when it is most contested, are we protecting our environment when it is most fragile, are we nurturing education when it is most needed? These questions remain urgent responsibilities today,” Legarda said.

The senator also noted that Rizal’s vision of nationhood was inseparable from culture, ecology, and civic responsibility. 

Moreover, Rizal’s documentation of Filipino customs, his love for native flora and fauna, and his insistence on education as the foundation of liberty remains the Senate’s inspiration to work in advancing reforms for schools, heritage preservation, and climate action.

Legarda urged Filipinos, especially the youth, to embody Rizal’s spirit in thought and action. 

She reiterated that Rizal’s legacy is alive in the conscience of those who choose integrity over convenience, courage over silence, and responsibility over indifference. 

“Progress is best achieved when leaders and citizens focus on unity and the welfare of the nation,” she said.