INDEPENDENCE DAY SPEECH: Senate President Franklin Drilon is presented a plaque of appreciation by San Juan Mayor Guia Gomez during the 116th Anniversary of Philippine Independence held at the Pinaglabanan Shrine in San Juan City on Thursday, June 12. In his address Drilon said that the Senate, amid its controversies, are genuinely listening and responding to the demands of people for positive change in government: "As the leader of the Senate, which is in the center of the maelstrom, I draw courage and inspiration from the active participation of the citizenry in governance. I appreciate our people’s expressed desire for significant reforms. I am guided by my faith in democracy and my deep and strong conviction that truth, fairness, justice and the rule of law should be upheld at all times." Drilon was joined in the event by Senator JV Ejercito, also in picture. (PRIB Photo by Joseph Vidal / June 12, 2014)