Marcos, Duterte urge Filipinos to protect freedom on Independence Day

Metro Manila, Philippines - The country’s top two officials called on Filipinos to preserve and protect their freedom as the country marked its 127th year of independence.

In his message on Thursday, June 12, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. reminded the public to “bear the vigor of our ancestors.”

“Let us honor our priceless freedom by building a country worthy of the sacrifices made by our heroes,” he said.

Meanwhile, Vice President Sara Duterte said Filipinos should resist traitors, oppressors, and those without concern for the nation.

“Paglapastangan sa diwa ng kalayaan ang pagsasawalang bahala sa paghihirap ng maraming pamilyang Pilipino at ang paglabag sa ating mga karapatan at sa batas. Kabilang sa mga hamon sa ating kalayaan ay ang pagmamalabis at katiwalian sa gobyerno, laganap na droga, problema sa edukasyon, kahirapan at gutom,” said Duterte.

[Translation: Disregarding the suffering of many Filipino families and violating our rights and the law is a desecration of the spirit of freedom. Among the challenges to our freedom are abuse of power and corruption in the government, widespread drug problems, issues in education, poverty, and hunger.]

Marcos and Duterte, who ran and won in the same ticket in the 2022 elections, have since parted ways over irreconcilable political differences.

The vice president is now in the middle of an impeachment process over graft and corruption, and violation of the Constitution charges, among others, a move which the president has frowned upon.