CITY OF MALOLOS, Bulacan – President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has asked Bulakenyos for their continued support in his fight against illegal drugs, corruption and criminality during the commemoration of the 119th anniversary of the Malolos Congress at the historic Barasoain Church here Friday morning
The President’s message was relayed by his representative Department of Interior and Local Government Assistant Secretary Rico Judge Janvier Echiverri, who was accompanied by Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” A. Aquino IV.
Echeveri said the first message of President Duterte is “maraming salamat sa mga Bulakenyo, sa kanilang boto noong election, sa kanilang pagtitiwala sa kanya at sa patuloy na suporta sa kanya”.
“Isang karangalan ang maanyayahan sa pagunita ng kaunaunahang kongreso ng Pilipinas. Kagaya noon, marami pa ring hamon ngunit naipakita na n gating mga ninuno na kaya nating tumayo sa sarili nating mga paa at kakakayanin pa din natin ito basta magkaka-isa at sama-sama tayo bilang isang lahi at isang bansa,” the president’s message said as conveyed by Echeverri.
The second message was that “death and killing” is not a state policy. The President, according Echeverri will exert all means to rid the country of the dope menace but he did not want to waste lives, especially the youths most of whom are the victims of this scourge of society, Echeverri said.
The third message of the President, according to Echeverri was the postponement of the barangay elections. He said that based on the president’s list there are at least 40,000 village officials who are directly involved in the proliferation of illegal drugs.
Echeverri urged these village officials to resign immediately because good village officials should lead community-based war against drugs and not act as protectors or druglords themselves.
For his part, Senator Aquino said that the sacrifices of Filipino revolutionaries should not be forgotten because their sacrifice has brought the freedom that modern day Filipinos are now enjoying.
He said he is proud that his great grandfather Sevillano Aquino was a member of the Malolos Congress.
Gov. Alvarado said bulakenyos will always go back to Barasoain church because of their love for freedom and independence and their reverence for their heroes.
He said that in this sacred ground, the great propagandist and Bulakenyo hero Gat Marcelo H. Del Pilar has planted the love for freedom tha’st why up to present day people are preserving that legacy.
“Patuloy na pinapanatiling may liyab sa dibdib at binabalikbalikan ang Simbahan ng barasoain dahil ditto iniluwal ang isang bagong nasyon na may Konstitusyon, Kongreso at sariling gobyerno. Ang mga kaganapan noon ay maituturing na kidlat na tumama sa Malolos at nagpaalab ng damdaming makabayan at upang mahawan muli ang kidlat, sama-sama nating tahakin ang mithiin ang hantungan na ating nais marating,: Alvarado said.
He said that September 15 is the culmination of the month long celebration that began August 15, the foundation day of the province.
Vice Gov. Daniel Fernando, said the significance of Malolos Congres shall forever be enshrined in hearts and soul of freedom loving Filipino.
City Mayor Atty. Christian D. Natividad said that Malolos Congress has changed the views of the world on the people of the Philippines.
“From being referred to as the lowly “Indio”, the the Filipino race has been recognized as citizens of the republic of the Philippines,” Natividad said.
“Dito sa makasaysayang lugar ng Malolos unang umalingaw ang karapatan ng mga Filipino, ang pagkapantay-pantay ng lahat. Dito umusbong ang sovereignty ng bansa at naitatag ang isang matayog at matapang na Republika,” the young city executive added.
The Malolos Congress , also known as the “National Assembly” of representatives was the constituent assembly of the First Philippine Republic. It was convened at the Barasoain Church on September 15, 1698 where the Malolos Constitution drafted. —EMIL G. GAMOS