Elsewhere in the country, the Filipinos also commemorated the 109th anniversary of the declaration of the Philippine independence. In Kawit, Cavite, Vice-President Noli de Castro led the celebration at the Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine. Aguinaldo, the first President of the Republic of the Philippines, proclaimed Philippine independence from Spain in his home on June 12, 1898. De Castro’s speech included an attack against candidates who refuse to admit defeat. They “are only protecting their own interests.” “A better nation that Filipinos can be proud of is one that has a working democracy and a vibrant economy that leads to social development,” he said. De Castro said that to simply celebrate Independence Day by gathering in one place to commemorate the country’s freedom is not enough. “Mabubuhay lang ang kalayaan kung bawat araw ay handa nating ipaglaban ang ating mga karapatan at protektahan ang hangarin nating magkaroon ng kaunlaran at katahimikan [Freedom will only thrive if every day we are ready to fight for our rights and protect our objective to live in prosperity and peace],” he said. Vin D’honneur In her speech before the foreign diplomatic corps during the Vin D’ Honneur in Malacañang, the President took note of the political stability of the country that the Filipinos displayed by exercising their right to vote last month. She renewed her commitment to see to it that the Philippine economy remains strong and continues to grow. She vowed to keep her government on the path she has set in which the people’s interests are put ahead of political considerations by focusing her administration’s work relentlessly on relentlessly on the economy. Papal Nuncio Archbishop Fernando Feloni, the Dean of the diplomatic corps, congratulated the President and said Filipinos of various sectors could benefit from her concept of unity and cooperation to better improve the nation. Feloni said that with the cooperation between the executive, the legislative, judicial and the administrative system “Filipino people can secure for themselves precious benefits.” He also encouraged the government to learn from its history, the cultural heritage and social institutions. “Your past will teach you and your present will lead you towards the better governance of the nation,” Feloni said in his speech. He stressed that “the government being the highest institution of the land together with the Senate makes the voice of the people known to enact laws and to respond to the needs of the country.”

Feloni challenged Mrs. Arroyo to make true to her ambitious plan of alleviating poverty, building a stronger economy and strengthening the rule of law.

–Sam Mediavilla, Francis Earl Cueto and reports from ABC-CBN