With Bagong Pilipinas as the guiding vision, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. emphasized on Thursday that Filipinos enjoy the freedom to express their opinion while apathy to the nation’s needs is the true enemy of freedom.

“Ngayon, malaya nating naipapahayag ang ating saloobin nang walang kinakatakutan at malayang nagagawa ang naisin ng walang iniiwasan,” President Marcos said in his speech during the 127th “Anibersaryo ng Proklamasyon ng Kalayaan ng Pilipinas at Parada ng Kalayaan 2025” celebration.

President Marcos said that under Bagong Pilipinas, Filipinos are encouraged to voice their opinions and criticisms which guide the government in further improving public service.

“Dahil sa Bagong Pilipinas, hindi kasalanan ang pagbibigay ng opinyon. At lalong hindi mali ang kritisismo. Bagkus, ito ang nagbibigay buhay at kinang sa ating demokrasya,” the President said.

The President said Filipinos should always care for, guard, and fight for freedom and democracy as well as love for one’s homeland.

“Dahil ang totoong kalaban ng kalayaan ay ang pagiging manhid. Manhid sa hinaing ng taumbayan. Manhid sa kalagayan ng ating kapwa. Manhid sa kapakanan ng ating bansa,” stressed President Marcos.

Under gray skies punctuated with slight drizzle, the President led the Independence Day celebration and parade at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila with thousands of spectators and attended by Cabinet secretaries, foreign diplomats, government employees, school officials and students. | PND