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Helen Flores - The Philippine Star
June 13, 2026 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — President Marcos called on Filipinos to “protect the truth” and “restore trust in a time increasingly marked by division” as he led the commemoration of the country’s 128th Independence Day yesterday.
“We must protect truth from distortion, harness technology wisely and restore trust in a time increasingly marked by division and distrust,” Marcos said in his message.
“How we respond to these demands will shape the course of our nation and define what we pass on to future generations,” the President said.The Independence Day celebration reminds Filipinos that freedom is not merely a legacy they inherit but a responsibility they must uphold, the Chief Executive said.
“May this occasion deepen our understanding of the past and inspire a renewed sense of duty to our country,” he said.
“While our forebears fought colonial oppression through revolution, reform and intellectual resistance, we face challenges of a different kind today.”
Marcos’ remarks came amid fresh rumors of a destabilization plot targeting his administration, and ongoing leadership instability in the Senate.
While it dismissed destabilization plot rumors, Malacañang had warned the public against “forces of darkness” that aim to sow chaos in the country.
Marcos, accompanied by First Lady Liza Marcos and their three sons, led the flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremonies at the Rizal Monument in Manila.
From Rizal Park, the President and his family, under sweltering heat, watched a two-hour Independence Day parade at the nearby Quirino Grandstand.
Present at the celebration were Speaker Faustino Dy III; Senate President Pro Tempore Sherwin Gatchalian; dean of the diplomatic corps and the Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines Charles John Brown; Manila Mayor Isko Moreno; Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr.; Philippine National Police chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.; Philippine Coast Guard commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan and members of the Cabinet and diplomatic corps.
In his speech at the Quirino Grandstand, Marcos asked Filipinos what they have done with the freedom achieved by their forebears more than a century ago.
“Because it is not enough for us to just look back at the past. Its lessons must serve as a foundation for our present and our future,” he said. “Our history has taught us that only through unity can independence be achieved.”
He said true leaders are those who sacrifice their own interests for the good of the people.
Marcos urged Filipinos to learn from history to build a better country as they face “many challenges” such as corruption, inequality, poverty and climate change.
The President was scheduled to host the vin d’honneur at Malacañang later in the day, which is hosted twice by the President to celebrate the New Year and Independence Day.
Heroism of ancestors
Acting Senate President Gatchalian said “the Senate joins the entire country in honoring the courage, sacrifices and heroism of our ancestors who fought tirelessly to break the chains of foreign oppression.”
Gatchalian called on his colleagues to settle political differences, unite and get down to work.
His allies Sens. Risa Hontiveros, Kiko Pangilinan and Francis Escudero echoed his message of remembering the country’s heroes who fought for independence from colonial rule, as well as the common Filipino living daily for the nation.
Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano has not issued an Independence Day statement as of press time, but his allies used the commemoration to question the Senate’s own independence from political pressure.
Detained plunder suspect Sen. Jinggoy Estrada said fighting for independence is more important than ever at a time of alleged meddling in the Senate.
Freedom and progress
Speaker Dy said freedom must always “go hand in hand” with progress, as the promise of independence remains incomplete if its benefits are not felt by every Filipino.
Dy said the true virtue of freedom not only lies in being free from oppression but in the ability of every Filipino to help build a more progressive, more just and stronger nation.
“The challenge for our generation is to make sure that freedom is felt in every home and community,” he said.
In a speech delivered in Filipino during Independence Day rites at the Museo ng Kasaysayang Panlipunan in Angeles City, Pampanga, Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo said “the struggle for independence continues even more than a century later in the various fields and efforts through which Filipinos serve the nation.”
Foreign Affairs Secretary Maria Theresa Lazaro and San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora led yesterday’s Independence Day commemoration at the historic Pinaglabanan Shrine.
The Shrine stands on the site of the Battle of San Juan del Monte, one of the opening battles of the Philippine Revolution against Spanish rule. — Ric Sapnu, Marc Jayson Cayabyab, Daphne Galvez, Ghio Ong, Mark Ernest Villeza, Andrew Ronquillo
