De Lima honors country's past and present heroes

Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima today (Aug. 31) paid tribute to the country's national heroes who defended Filipinos' right and liberty and fought hard to reclaim our sovereignty from foreign colonizers.

In her message on National Heroes Day, De Lima said the heroes' bravery and selflessness should not only be remembered but also emulated amid these times where Filipinos continue to struggle under a tyrannical regime.

"Today, we remember the courage, patriotism and compassion of our heroes who, during the most challenging and difficult periods in our history, chose to fight for our rights and freedoms, sovereignty and our people's well-being," she said.

Aside from recognizing the Philippine national heroes, De Lima also acknowledged the health workers and other volunteers as unsung heroes who continue to risk their own safety to serve their countrymen.

"Ngayong panahon ng pandemya, nariyan ang mga nagbuwis ng buhay at patuloy na sinusuong ang peligro para sa kapakanan ng kapwa Pilipino. Nangingibabaw sa ating mga doktor, nurse, other healthworkers, frontliners at volunteers ang kanilang malasakit at dedikasyong makatulong sa nangangailangan," she said.

Celebrated as early as 1931, the National Heroes Day in the Philippines was originally held every last Sunday of August, but Republic Act No. 9492 moved it to every fourth Monday of August.

The lady Senator from Bicol said it is now a challenge for every Filipino to ensure that the sacrifices of the country's heroes - past and present - would not be put to waste by standing up against abusive leaders.

"Ang hamon sa atin: Tiyaking hindi mababalewala ang mga sakriprisyo't ipinaglalaban ng ating mga bayani. Panagutin ang mga abusadong walang pagpapahalaga sa buhay at dignidad ng kapwa, mga traydor na ipinagkakanulo sa dayuhan ang bansa, at mga tiwaling lalong ibinabaon sa dusa ang mamamayan," she said.

"Sa ating mga bayaning Pilipino: isang taas-noong pagpupugay at pasasalamat!," added De Lima, the first prominent political prisoner under the Duterte regime.