President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. paid respect to patriots who battled for Philippine independence and urged Filipinos to "assert liberty day by day" in dealing with the nation's current issues on the occasion of the country's 125th year of independence on Monday, June 12.

In his speech at Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park, Manila, the president said that the heroes would be so proud to know that the Philippines have thrown off the ‘ominous yoke of domination,’ adding that the country will never bow down to any external force that determines the country’s destiny.

Marcos challenged the people to consider how far the country had progressed "from that transformative event" in history when revolutionary troops led by the country's first president Emilio Aguinaldo declared independence from Spain in 1898.

He appealed for unity and solidarity in Filipinos’ efforts to perfect their hard-fought freedom and reach genuine national progress.

In his speech, the President also mentioned: "corrosive, political, and social conditions that make the nation not as free as we would like to profess and believe — such as poverty, inadequate economic opportunities, disabling rather than enabling living conditions, inequality, and apathy."

He stated that the government will "strive to remove [these] unfreedoms" and implement "wise policies... for the full development of the Filipino."

Marcos also confirmed his administration's Philippine Development Plan for 2023–2028, which he issued in January with Executive Order No. 14.

Before his address, Marcos led the raising of the national colors at the Independence Flagpole across the Rizal Monument at the Luneta.

First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and their sons Sandro, Simon, Vincent, and Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna were present.