LAWMAKERS at the House of Representatives on Monday reminded Filipinos to “take up the cudgels” and unite “to stop attacks on the poor and the marginalized,” as the country commemorates its national heroes.
In a statement, Magdalo Partylist Representative Gary Alejano said the lives of the heroes that came before us should serve as an inspiration amid the “many challenges” the country is facing.
“Ang ating bayan ay nasasadlak sa maraming hamon…Let us remember today and always the sacrifices of our forefathers who braved death and persecution in the name of freedom, justice, and nation,” Alejano said.
The lawmaker added that these trying times require the Filipinos to look within themselves and be their own heroes.
"People are often desperate in looking for heroes to stand up for them, to take up the cudgels for them. Some ended up frustrated and hopeless. Nakakalimutan natin na ang bayani na ating hinahanap ay matatagpuan sa ating mga sarili," he said.
"Let us not look for heroes somewhere else. They lie in our being….[Tayo ay] maging bayani sa ating kapwa lalong lalo na sa mga kapuspalad at inaapi," Alejano added.
Meanwhile, Bayan Muna Partylist Representative Carlos Isagani Zarate took the holiday to remind Filipinos to be heroes and stand up against human rights abuses.
“Napakarami na pong napatay at paglabag sa karapatang pantao lalo pa sa hanay ng mga mahihirap, magsasaka at mga katutubo. Dapat na tayong tumindig, tutulan at labanan ito upang di na lumala pa,” Zarate said in a statement.
President Rodrigo Duterte has been criticized for his alleged disregard for human rights, most notably during his pronouncements that allegedly incite violence towards drug suspects, among others.
“Dapat na magbuklod tayo upang ipakita, lalo na sa Pangulo, na dapat ng itigil ang pag-atake sa mamamayan,” the lawmaker said.
“We hope that President Duterte can see this and revise his tack in dealing with the myriad problems of our country,” Zarate added. (SunStar Philippines)