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My fellow Filipinos and friends
of the Philippines -- Mabuhay!
I greet you from the grand hall
of the Malacañan Palace Museum on this 110th Anniversary of our Declaration
of Independence.
A century and a decade ago today,
our revolutionary forefathers braved superior arms and the privations of war
to break the chains of colonialism and stand proud among the free nations of
the world, Asia’s first republic. Today, as we celebrate with pride that
historic moment, we take stock of what we as a nation have achieved with
unity, audacity, sacrifice and patriotism, and we look forward with hope, to
what we shall claim for our national future.
Our vision is based on a strong
and growing economy. It is the central pillar we have labored to create to
help guarantee peace, order and stability in our country. Our labor is
paying off: last year we had the strongest economy in over 30 years,
investments are surging and we are close to balancing our budget.
True to our heritage of freedom,
we staunchly protect and strengthen the vibrant democracy that we have
restored twenty-two years ago. Our political discourse is vibrant, our press
is free, our Constitution shelters all who seek its protection and embrace
the rule of law.
We have tackled our unfortunate
legacy of political violence whether it is in the Philippines or abroad with
foreign leaders and human rights organizations. We have met with a lot of
success since the formation of what was to become the Melo Commission.
Extrajudicial killings are down and prosecutions are up. We will not be
satisfied until we are at zero, but we are making progress.
We have made tough and
politically unpopular decisions to raise revenues and track down on
smugglers so that we could invest in our physical infrastructure and in our
people.
We are delivering investments in
three critical areas, what we call the three “Es,” namely: the Economy, the
Environment and Education. These issues are central to lifting our nation up
and getting it ready for the next generation of leaders.
The results of our efforts come
none too soon. There are global clouds on the horizon that are driving up
the price of oil and food, particularly rice. Thankfully, we are now in a
vastly improved position to weather this storm than at any other time in
recent memory.
Our people are enterprising and
welcomed everywhere, as quick learners and hardworkers who are also generous
of spirit to strangers and friends alike. As our countrymen and women build
successful careers and prosperous lives all over the world, foreign
investors and travelers flock to our islands eager to harness Filipino
talent, enjoy Filipino hospitality, and marvel at the beauty and grandeur of
7,108 magnificent Philippine islands. Our archipelago shelters us all --
Filipinos, foreigners, and compatriots across the world warmed by memories
of your homeland. With solidarity, sacrifice and singular purpose, our
heroes brought forth a new nation. With the same love of country binding all
Filipinos, we too shall achieve for the Philippines and all its peoples the
blessings of freedom, justice and progress, and our esteemed place among the
great nations of the world.
We remain bullish on our country,
optimistic about our future and deeply committed to being a force for good.
In this march to our collective
tomorrow I ask all of you to join as one – for our motherland, for our
families, and for the generations to come.
Mabuhay and Pilipinas!
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