Robredo hopes Filipinos will be like Rizal in fighting for what is right and just

Vice President Leni Robredo on Saturday expressed hope Filipinos can be inspired by national hero Jose Rizal in fighting for what is right and just.

Robredo made the comment on Rizal's 160th birth anniversary.

"Magsilbi nawang huwaran si Rizal sa bagong henerasyon ng mga Pilipino upang ipaglaban nila ang tama at nararapat, at magsilbing bayaning sumasalamin sa pinakamatatayog na prinsipyo at adhikain ng ating bayan," she said.

(May Rizal be an example to the new generation of Filipinos to fight for what is right and just, and to serve as heroes embodying the highest principles and ideals of our nation.)

"Ngayong araw, ginugunita natin ang ika-160 na anibersaryo ng kapanganakan ni Gat Jose Rizal—doktor, manunulat, pilantropo, bayani, Pilipino," she said.

(Today, we are observing the 160th birth anniversary of Jose Rizal — doctor, author, philanthropist, hero, Filipino.)

"Sinabi niya sa La Solidaridad noong 1890: 'Let the Filipino people, without losing trust in men, place their confidence on something higher, on one with better memory, on one who knows better the value of justice and a sacred promise,'" the vice president said.

(He wrote in La Solidaridad in 1890: 'Let the Filipino people, without losing trust in men, place their confidence on something higher, on one with better memory, on one who knows better the value of justice and a sacred promise.')

"Buhay pa rin ang diwa ng pahayag na ito hanggang sa ngayon," Robredo said.

(The spirit of what he said still lives true today.)

"Tinatawag tayong maging bukal ng pag-asa, at tumugon sa mga hamon ng panahon — ang paglutas ng pandemya, ang pag-ahon sa kahirapan, ang pagtaguyod ng ating dignidad at karapatan. Tinatawag tayong maging malakas at magiting sa ating pananalig," she added.

(We are called to be full of hope, and to respond to the challenges of the times — addressing the pandemic, overcoming poverty, and upholding our dignity and rights. We are called to be strong and courageous in our faith.)

Rizal was born on June 19, 1861 in Calamba, Laguna. He drew attention to the abuses of the Spanish colonizers with his writings which led to his deportation to Dapitan and later on, his execution at Luneta on December 30, 1896.

Local officials led by Manila Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna honored Rizal on Saturday by laying a wreath at Rizal Monument in Luneta. —KG, GMA News