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MALACAÑAN PALACE
Manila
M e s s a g e
Malugod kong binabati ang buong Sambayanang Pilipino, kabilang ang ating mga
world-class Filipino workers sa iba’t ibang panig ng daigdig, sa pagdiriwang ng
ating ika-105 Araw ng Kasarinlan.
Sa
paggunita sa proklamasyon ng ating kasarinlan at pagkakatatag ng ating Republika
noong Hunyo 12, 1898, isa-alaala natin ang katapangan, kabayanihan at pagbubuwis
ng buhay ng ating mga kababayan upang matamo ang kalayaang tinatamasa natin
ngayon. Sa gayon, higit nating pahahalagahan at pag-iibayuhin ang pagganap sa
ating tungkuling itaguyod ang isang matatag at masiglang Republika.
Today, 105
years later, we face diverse challenges and threats to our democracy that seek
to undermine the freedom won for us by our forebears. These are the threats and
challenges posed by terrorism, mass poverty, ignorance, graft and corruption,
apathy and lack of opportunity for every Filipino to live a life of certainty,
prosperity and dignity. We are now called upon to band together as a people to
confront these obstacles and move our country forward towards its rightful place
in the community of nations.
The struggle that
won for us our independence must not and did not end in 1898. The country’s
independence, and potential for greatness, can only be fully realized if we do
our part in continuing the fight to achieve our national aspirations. In
celebrating this important occasion, let us thus exhibit the same unity,
perseverance and sacrifice as those of our forebears in building a strong
Republic, able to succeed amidst the challenges and opportunities of the 21st
century and beyond.
Let us all, in our
individual and collective capacities, contribute to national good.
Mabuhay ang
Pilipino! Mabuhay ang matatag na Republika ng Pilipinas!
GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO
President of the
Republic of the Philippines
12 June 2003
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