Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando welcomed President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. and all national and local delegates in the commemoration of the 125th Anniversary of the First Philippine Republic held at the historic grounds of Barasoain Church.
Fernando reiterated that the governing principles of the country are rooted in the great Province of Bulacan.
“Dito unang itinatag ang mga pamantayan para sa isang matapat na pamahalaan at mataas na uri ng pulitika.”
“Ang Kongreso ng Malolos ang nagtakda ng Unang Republika ng Pilipinas, ang kauna-unahang malayang republika sa buong Asya; dito binalangkas ang unang Saligang Batas ng Pilipinas; at dito unang itinatag ang mga pamantayan para sa isang matapat na pamahalaan at mataas na uri ng pulitika,” the governor said.
Meanwhile, the president said that the history made in Barasoain Church continues to inspire the Filipinos to overcome the obstacles that stand in the way of the nation’s march to progress.
“To a world skeptical of a former colony’s capacity for self-rule, the Malolos Republic erased all doubts.”
“To a world skeptical of a former colony’s capacity for self-rule, the Malolos Republic erased all doubts. To the Filipinos who liberated their own selves by blood but were doubtful that the promises of the revolution could be redeemed, the Malolos Republic raised their hopes once again for a brighter tomorrow,” Marcos stressed.
The president added that as stewards of that legacy, making the economy sound, the democracy stable, the future secure, and the nation strong is what is expected of the Filipinos.
“As beneficiaries of their heroism, we pledge to continue to pay those dues. For that is the only way that we can honor those who founded this Republic, those who fought for its ideals, and those who fell in the war,” he stressed.
Also present in the occasion are Senate President Migz Zubiri, House Speaker Martin Romualdez, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, National Historical Commission of the Philippines Chairman Emmanuel Franco Calairo, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief Gen. Romeo Brawner, and other legislators, executive branch officials, and local government officials.
125 years ago, General Emilio Aguinaldo was elected as President of the Republic, and his term was set at four years.
The First Republic of the Philippines was complete with the characteristics of a state with three branches of government, a constitution, and a territory governed by a government with an armed force.
The milestone is part of the 125th Anniversary of the Philippine Independence and Nationhood 2023-2026 which commemorates the events that led up to Philippine Independence and the development of the nation from 1898 to 1901.
