PNoy leads flag-raising to kick off Independence Day rites

President Benigno Aquino III kicked off early Sunday the celebration of the Philippines’ 113th Independence Day by leading flag-raising ceremonies in Kawit, Cavite at 7 a.m.

Aquino received arrival honors at the Aguinaldo Shrine and took part in wreath-laying ceremonies before raising the Philippine flag, radio dzBB’s Tuesday Niu reported.

He arrived at the shrine at 6:30 a.m. With him were Cabinet secretaries led by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin.

Present at the ceremonies were Cavite Governor Juanito Victor Remulla Jr., Kawit Mayor Reynaldo Aguinaldo, and Imus Bishop Luis Antonio Tagle.

The shrine stands where Philippine independence was first declared on June 12, 1898.

In Manila, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Francis Tolentino led the flag-raising ceremonies at the Rizal Park.

The Philippine Coast Guard sounded horns while the Armed Forces of the Philippines started a static display in Manila, radio dzBB’s Glen Juego reported.

Also present at the Manila rites were Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim and Secretaries Alberto Lim (tourism), Armin Luistro (education) and Jose Rene Almendras (energy).

Security was tight in the area, particularly along Roxas Boulevard, as militant umbrella group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) was to hold a protest action near the US Embassy.

At the Monumento area in Caloocan City, Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo led flag-raising ceremonies following a 6 a.m. Mass, dzBB’s Allan Gatus reported.

Robredo said the spirit of patriotism must be kept alive in Filipinos even if it is not Independence Day.

“Ang pinakahamon manatili hindi lamang sa panahon na tayo nakikipaglaban sa dayuhan kundi sa bagay na pwede nating sabihing kinikitil ang kasarinlan ng mamamayan. Kung hindi natin mabibigyan ng buhay ang damdaming yan naroon lang siya sa isang tabi," he said

(Our challenge is to keep the spirit of patriotism alive, not just at a time when we are fighting foreign invaders. We should not neglect our sense of patriotism.)

In San Juan City in Metro Manila, students showed up early for the flag-raising ceremony at the Pinaglabanan Shrine led by Sen. Teofisto Guingona III, dzBB’s Mao dela Cruz reported.

Mayor Guia Gomez and son Rep. Jose Victor Ejercito arrived early for the flag-raising ceremony.

In Bulacan province, House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. and provincial officials led similar activities at the Barasoain Church.

The church was a temporary residence of General Emilio Aguinaldo, and was the venue of the convening of the First Philippine Congress (September 15, 1898).

It was also where the drafting of the Malolos Constitution took place, and where the First Philippine Republic was inaugurated on January 23, 1899. — LBG, GMA News

US greets PHL on Independence Day

Filipinos received a congratulatory message for Independence Day from the United States, where Secretary of State Hillary Clinton reassured them of the US' commitment as "long-time friends and partners."

In her statement for the Philippines' National Day, Clinton said the Philippines and the US continue to work on many new fronts, after a long history of standing together to defend liberal democratic values.

"On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I am delighted to congratulate the people of the Philippines on the 113th anniversary of your declaration of independence this June 12," she said in her statement posted on the US Embassy in Manila's website.

"The United States and the Philippines are long-standing friends and partners. We stood together during World War II to defend liberal democratic values. Today, we are working together on many new fronts. Whether we are working to find ways to catalyze economic growth, helping victims of natural disasters, combating extremism, or calling for greater protection of human rights, our two countries share a vision of a better world," she added.

She said the US supports the Philippine government’s commitment to fight corruption, promote judicial reform, reduce poverty, and create opportunities for its people.

Both countries are "cooperating in new ways on everything" from the Partnership for Growth joint effort to boost prosperity in the Philippines, to the Open Government Partnership initiative to improve governance and transparency around the globe, she added.

"Together through our Millennium Challenge Corporation compact we are working to reduce poverty through economic growth. The Philippines is a committed partner on so many issues," she said.

"Please accept my sincere thanks for your friendship and best wishes for your continued success and prosperity on this special day," she added. — LBG, GMA News

For the first time, PNoy to lead Independence Day rites

For the first time, President Benigno Aquino III will lead the Independence Day celebrations on June 12, Sunday, beginning with a flag-raising ceremony in Kawit, Cavite.

The country’s 113th Independence Day celebration will be followed by a vin d’ honneur at Malacañang’s Rizal Hall at 10 a.m., also to be officiated by Aquino. Then at 4 p.m., the rites will center on the Independence Day festivities at the Quirino Grandstand.

Last week, the Palace directed the National Historical Commission of the Philippines to organize and implement this year’s Independence Day celebrations.

In preparation for Independence Day, the Palace commemorated National Flag Day late last month. The effort, however, was off to a bad start when the Office of the President displayed the Philippine flag on its official website with the red side up signifying a state of war.

Meanwhile, in an interview with GMA News TV’s “State of the Nation" newscast, the NHCP issued a reminder on Tuesday that the public cannot turn the flag into a fashion statement, and must treat it with respect. — PE/VS, GMA News