Pacquiao on Rizal Day: Stand up for what is right

Senator Manny Pacquiao on Thursday urged the public to have the courage to "follow what is right" as the country commemorates national hero Jose Rizal’s 125th death anniversary.

"Sana lang huwag po nating sayangin ang alaala ni Gat Jose Rizal. Manindigan tayo para sa tama. (I hope we do not waste the legacy of Jose Rizal. We must stand up for what is right.)," said Pacquiao, a presidential aspirant, in a statement.

"Labanan natin ang mga nagsasamantala sa ating bayan.  Ipagpatuloy natin na isulong ang kanyang pangarap na magkaroon ng maunlad at mapayapang Pilipinas," he added.

(We must fight exploiters of the country. We should push for Rizal's of a prosperous and peaceful Philippines.)

As we honor Rizal on his death anniversary, Pacquiao said the commemoration also reminds us of the hero's sacrifice for the country.

"Ibinuwis ni Rizal ang kanyang buhay upang buhayin ang ating damdamin at imulat sa ating isipan ang kawalan ng katarungan sa ating lipunan (Rizal gave his life to fire up our emotion and open our minds to the injustices committed in our society)," he said.  -- Consuelo Marquez/BAP, GMA News