Today, we commemorate the 116th anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence with the theme “Independence 2014: Following the Footsteps of Great Filipinos, Toward Permanent and Widespread Change.”

A hundred and sixteen years ago, our first President, Emilio Aguinaldo read the Acta de la proclamación de independencia del pueblo Filipino. He was joined by many other Filipinos who were in the midst of a war for independence against Spain – a war of independence that was one of the first in the world. A war for the freedom that many of us Filipinos, no matter where we are, hold dear.

Three great world powers tried to deny self-rule to the Filipino people. These three great powers failed because of the blood, sweat and tears of Filipino patriots – from Andres Bonifacio, Dr. Jose P. Rizal, Apolinario Mabini and a great many others. These men and women made sure that we and our descendants will never be second class citizens in our country and that the Philippines will take its rightful place in the community of nations.

Today, we face many different challenges, the foremost of which is to lift the majority of our people out of poverty. As President Aquino said, “Our vision is of a nation of renewed vitality, which embraces competition and thereby spurs growth.”

Although we have shown that our nation can rapidly grow its economy despite the uncertainties facing the global financial system, the challenge is to make sure that this growth is for the betterment of all Filipinos. There are many good Filipinos hard at work at this new challenge. Given that we have driven off three conquering nations, this task should not be as hard.

We no longer need to wage a war for independence. But we need to continue waging war against inequality, injustice, corruption and other social ills for our hard won independence to be meaningful. That is why I urge all of us not to forget the examples of our illustrious forebears and continue to strive for the betterment of all Filipinos. Wherever we are and whatever we may become, we owe it to them.

Maligayang Araw ng Kalayaan at Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!

NESTOR Z. OCHOA

Ambassador

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

12 June 2014