Palace asks Filipinos to serve country with utmost dedication, self-sacrifice

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MANILA — Malacanang encouraged Filipinos to serve the nation with integrity, solidarity, and sincere sacrifice as the country celebrated Republic Day on Friday (July 4).

“Today, we celebrate 68 years since the restoration of our nation’s independence, marking our country’s return to becoming a full member of the wider family of nations,” Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte said in a statement.

“As President Aquino has always reminded us: it has been the task of every subsequent generation, since our liberation from foreign occupation to this day, to turn the political reality of independence into a living reality for every Filipino family — to work hand-in-hand in ending the vicious cycle of poverty and injustice, and, in turn, usher in an era of hope, opportunity, and shared advancement.”

Valte said that over the past six decades since the restoration of the Republic, the government has tried to realize the promise of nationhood, going through four constitutions, witnessing 11 presidencies, and constantly striving to empower its people.

The Palace official urged all Filipinos to take time to re-consecrate themselves in service to the nation based on the principles of integrity, solidarity, and sincere sacrifice.

The Philippine Republic Day, also known as Filipino-American Friendship Day, commemorates the official recognition of Philippine independence by the United States.

The Philippines was a US territory from 1898 to 1946. Between 1941 and 1946, during the Japanese occupation, it remained a US territory with a government in exile, headed by Manuel Quezon.

After the surrender of Japan in 1945, the country eventually gained complete independence on July 4, 1946.