Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa joined the 127th Independence Day celebration in Davao City on Thursday as guest of honor and dedicated his message to former President Rodrigo Duterte.
“I know that we are celebrating (Independence Day) with heavy hearts. Dahil kung iisipin, mahirap magsaya. Independence kunwari, pero si Mayor Rody, naging bilanggo sa malayong lugar. It hurts, but we cannot, must not, lose hope…To Tatay Digong— this city, your city, will never forget you,” dela Rosa said.
Dela Rosa added that while Duterte allies continue to do what they can to bring him back home, they shall also continue what the former president has started: a strong, secure, and sovereign Philippines.
“Kalayaan. Kasaysayan. Kinabukasan. Let us honor our freedom. Let us defend our truth. Let us fight for our future. In spite of it all, it is still a Happy Independence Day!” he said.
Meanwhile, current Mayor and Vice Mayor-elect Sebastian “Baste” Duterte mentioned the current political climate in his message read by Vice Mayor and Councilor-elect J. Melchor Quitain Jr.
“Amidst the current volatile political structure, it is our shared duty to uphold and maintain this freedom against both foreign and local entities that continue to violate our rights as a democratic country. Let us not allow these forces to obscure the truth and sow discord among the Filipino people,” the mayor stated.
The mayor also mentioned that in the past Filipino forefathers were equipped with only bolos and muskets to thwart their oppressors but Filipinos today have the education, innovation, good governance, and steadfast commitment to justice as weapons.
“As we celebrate our independence, let us all pay homage to our ancestors who watered the very soil we stand upon with their blood and unshakeable belief that no nation is truly free until it governs itself,” he said.
The celebration was graced by officials of the city government of Davao, diplomatic corps and the security cluster.
