‘Continue Rizal’s fight vs greed, corruption’

MANILA, Philippines — Like Dr. Jose Rizal whose martyrdom the nation commemorated yesterday, Filipinos should “strive to continue (the) work of building a more united, peaceful and prosperous Philippines,” President Duterte said yesterday.

“As an author and a scholar, he denounced the corruption, greed and other social ills that up to this day continue to plague our society,” Duterte said in a statement on the 121st anniversary of Rizal’s martyrdom.

“Even in death, he imparted upon us his aspirations for a
nation that is free from the scourge of injustice, tyranny and suffering,” the President said.

The President did not deliver a speech at the Rizal Day rites.

Rizal was executed by firing squad by Spanish colonial authorities in 1896 at the Bagumbayan field, now a national park named after him.

Duterte led the  flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremonies at the Rizal monument. Also at the event were Vice President Leni Robredo, Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, members of the diplomatic corps, some Cabinet and military officials, as well as descendants of Rizal including former beauty queen Gemma Cruz-Araneta.

This year’s commemoration carried the theme, “Rizal 2017: Mabuting Kaisipan, Susi sa Kaunlaran.”

“May we take this occasion as an opportunity to recognize Dr. Rizal’s ultimate sacrifice for the sake of our country. Let us reflect on his patriotism as we strive to continue his work of building a more united, peaceful and prosperous Philippines,”  the Chief Executive said.

Sen. Joel Villanueva, in a statement, called on the people to “contemplate (Rizal’s) teachings and principles and ask ourselves what we can do to contribute to nation-building.”

Villanueva said Filipinos should not miss paying tribute to Rizal’s heroic and selfless deeds.

He said Filipinos should strive to emulate Rizal’s “sense of duty and burning passion to bring progressive and nationalistic reforms for the love of our motherland.”

Sen. Leila de Lima, speaking from detention, said she reflected on how Rizal had been a political prisoner under an abusive Spanish colonial authority.

De Lima said that Rizal was persecuted, incarcerated and judged for crimes he did not commit.

De Lima has repeatedly described herself as the Duterte administration’s first political prisoner.

Detained since early this year, De Lima has denied the drug-related charges lodged against her by the administration.

She called the charges trumped up as she had been vocal against the Duterte administration’s trampling of human rights, especially in the pursuit of his war on drugs.

“More than a century has passed and we once again have an oppressive and abusive government; without any care for the suffering of the poor; killing the poor and defenseless; stifling free speech; incarcerating innocents and charging those that stand against its dictator-like governance,” De Lima said.

The Liberal Party (LP) also called on Filipino millennials to be the Jose Rizals of this generation and work for a better Philippines that is free of poverty and fear.

The LP noted that the national hero was a “millennial” of his time who managed to use his time and talents to show his love for the country.

The LP noted that when Rizal was 25, he already published Noli Me Tangere, a novel on the ills of Philippine society toward the end of the 19th century.

At age 30, he published El Filibusterismo.

Rizal was only 35 when he was executed for expressing the idea that everyone has inherent, inalienable rights.

“Rizal inspired Filipinos to believe that they were capable of ruling themselves,” the LP stated.

“We urge today’s millennials to be like Rizal, to work for a better Philippines, free of poverty and fear, and where justice and solidarity reign,” it added.  – Christina Mendez, Marvin Sy, Marc Cayabyab, Jose Rodel Clapano