MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan — Vice President Sara Duterte on Thursday joined the Bulakenyos in commemorating the 124th anniversary of the opening of the Malolos Congress at the historical Barasoain Church here this morning.

“Malugod kong binabati ang buong lalawigan ng Malolos sa pagdiriwang ng ika-isandaan at dalawampu’t-apat na taong paggunita ng pagbubukas ng Kongreso ng Malolos, isang mahalagang bahagi ng ating kasaysayan na sinaksihan ng simbahan ng Barasoain,” Duterte said.

“Mahalaga ang pagdiriwang na ito sa ating kasaysayan bilang mga Pilipino dahil ang pagbubukas ng Kongreso ng Malolos noong September 15, 1898, ang naging hudyat ng pagsilang ng isang malayang republika — ang Republika ng Pilipinas,” she added.

Malolos Constitution was the constitution of the First Philippine Republic which made the country the first-ever free republic in Asia.

In her 12-minute speech, Duterte emphasized that the historical opening of the Malolos Congress became the foundation of the country’s democracy.

“Ang demokrasyang ito ang pinakamahalagang pamana ng ating mga ninuno sa atin — na malaya nating tinatamasa hanggang ngayon,” Duterte said.

“Isa sa mga aral na makukuha natin sa ating paggunita sa pagbubukas ng Kongreso ng Malolos ngayon ay ang kahalagahan ng pagmamahal sa bayan,” she added.

Duterte said that if Filipinos will be united in the same dream, goal, and asiprations, they will be able to surpass and bring themselves back together amidst all hardships.

“Mula nang buksan ang Kongreso ng Malolos — malayo na ang ating narating bilang isang bansa. Maraming dagok rin ang ating sinagupa — bagyo, lindol, pandemya. Pero hindi tayo tumigil at hindi tayo titigil,” Duterte said.

“Ngayon ay patuloy nating itinataguyod ang isa’t-isa at ang ating bansa para bumangon, para umusad, para umunlad,” she added.

Anchored on the theme “Kongreso ng Malolos: Patnubay sa Pagtataguyod ng Nagkakaisang Bansa", the activity started with a flag raising ceremony, followed by the oath to the Philippine flag and wreath-laying at the monument of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, the first Philippine president.

Duterte, together with Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando, Vice Governor Alexis Castro, Malolos City Mayor Christian Natividad, and Dr. Rene Escalante, chairman of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), led the celebration.

The Malolos Congress ratified the first Philippine Constitution that eventually led to the proclamation of Philippine independence from the Spanish colonial rule on June 12, 1899.

OVP MEDIA