Marcos delivers speech and leaders celebrate 128th Independence Day

"Huwag po tayong mapagod na mahalin, piliin at ipaglaban ang Pilipinas. Ipalalim natin ang ating kamalayan, maging mapanuri sa katotohanan," Marcos said in his message. (Let us not grow weary of loving, choosing and fighting for the Philippines. Let us deepen our awareness and be discerning of the truth.)(Let us not grow weary of loving, choosing and fighting for the Philippines. Let us deepen our awareness and be discerning of the truth.)

The Philippine president also recalled the sacrifices of Filipino heroes who resisted colonial rule and helped pave the way for the declaration of independence in Kawit, Cavite, in 1898. He noted that the citizens today should draw from the rich historical informations of the past to uphold freedom and strengthen the country's sovereignty.

"Sapagkat hindi sapat na lingunin lamang natin ang nakaraan, kailangan magsilbing pundasyon ang mga aral nito sa ating kasalukuyan at sa ating kinabukasan," Marcos stated. (Because it is not enough to look back at the past. Its lessons must serve as the foundation of our present and our future.)(Because it is not enough to look back at the past. Its lessons must serve as the foundation of our present and our future.)

If the republic is to truly honor the revolutionaries who fought for freedom, it is imperative that government leaders put the country's welfare above personal interest, unless they intend to completely betray the public trust. Following the ceremonies, Malacañang announced that continuous public assistance operations would be conducted to help the working class cope up with the rising cost of basic commodities, e.g., fuel and food.

House Speaker Faustino "Bojie" Dy III, in a separate Independence Day message, asserted that freedom must go hand in hand with progress.

"Hindi sapat na tayo ay malaya kung marami pa rin ang hindi nabibigyan ng pagkakataon na maging bahagi ng pag-unlad," Dy emphasized. (It is not enough for us to be free if many are still not given the chance to be part of progress.)(It is not enough for us to be free if many are still not given the chance to be part of progress.)

The formal messages of the state leaders were delivered as ordinary Filipinos continue to face severe economic strain from expensive transportation, rising fuel prices and inflation.

Meanwhile, political disputes continue to dominate the national landscape. In recent weeks, heavy allegations of corruption were made against Vice President Sara Duterte, a situation that is expected to result to prolonged impeachment proceedings in the legislature. Furthermore, the Senate leadership dispute and the flood control controversy remain critical issues that the national government must resolve from Monday to Friday to maintain institutional stability.

A policy brief from the United Nations Development Programme warned that the ongoing crisis could raise the country’s poverty rate from 16.9% to 17%, leaving more than twenty million Filipinos in poverty. A team of experts from the agency note that while decisive steps are being taken, stronger structural reforms and transparent governance are urgently required.