Action and discipline – like the one learned by the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ new 48 reservists from the Senate – are the keys to achieving freedom from poverty, Senator Robin Padilla said on Independence Day 2024.
Padilla stressed that while the Philippines is free from foreign conquerors, it is still not free from poverty, even as he expressed hopes the time will come that this freedom will be earned.
During a program marking Independence Day at the Senate, the legislator also disclosed his wife and children are planning to undergo Basic Citizens Military Course (BCMC), similar to the one undergone by 48 new Navy reservists from the Senate.
“Ang atin pong pinagdiriwang ngayon ay ang ating kalayaan laban sa mga dayuhan. Pero hanggang sa mga oras na ito, hindi pa po tayo nakakalaya sa kahirapan. Kaya sana dumating ang panahon (na) makamtan natin ang kalayaan sa kahirapan,” the seasoned lawmaker said.
“Sana dumating ang panahon (na) makamtan natin ang kalayaan sa kahirapan.”
“Sana dumating ang panahon na magkaisa tayo patungo sa pagbabago. ‘Yan kailangan natin, disiplina, makuha sa AFP sana dumating ang panahon (na) makamtan natin ang kalayaan sa kahirapan,” the senator added.
Also, Padilla said one of the keys to earning freedom from poverty starts with action and a sense of public service. He pointed out freedom is earned, not given free.
“Ang kalayaan na ‘yan pinaglalaban ‘yan.”
“Walang libre sa mundo. Ang kalayaan na ‘yan pinaglalaban ‘yan… Kung wala sa puso mo ang pagibig mo sa bayan di mo gagawin ‘yan,” he said.
Padilla reiterated the BCMC and Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) training, which he is advocating, should not be seen as gearing for war but for public service.
“Paano natin ipagtatanggol (ang ating kalayaan)? Giyera ba yan? Hindi. Ang pinaguusapan pagseserbisyo natin, kailangan serbisyo sa bayan totoo,” he said.
Padilla said he hopes the time will come Filipinos approach military training with a “can-do” attitude.
“Sana dumating ang panahon ang military training huwag natin isiping mahirap. Nakita ko sa inyo nahirapan kayo pero lahat na sinabi nyo sa dulo kaya, walang nagsabing di kaya,” he concluded.
