SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Sunday vowed that the country remains committed to protecting its sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea.
He made the commitment in his remarks during ribbon-cutting rites for the “War of Our Fathers-A Brotherhood of Heroes,” an exhibit of the Philippine Veterans Bank dedicated to World War II veterans held Sunday in connection with the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the Leyte Landings at the Leyte Convention Complex in Palo, Leyte.
The leader of the 300-plus members House of Representatives said the war Filipinos fought 80 years ago is different from the conflict the nation faces today.
“Today, we face a new battlefield. Our enemy is no longer a foreign invader but the threats to our territorial integrity, the undermining of international laws, and the growing tensions in the West Philippine Sea,” Speaker Romualdez told the audience at the exhibit.
“Just as our forefathers fought side by side with allies in the past, today, we strengthen our alliances with like-minded nations to defend the principles of freedom and democracy. This is a new war – a war for peace, stability, and the preservation of our way of life. We are committed to protecting our sovereign rights, ensuring that the future generations will live in a free and secure Philippines,” he said.
He said he is proud “to stand with our government in upholding a rules-based international order, particularly in our maritime domain.”
“We continue to advocate for the peaceful resolution of disputes, guided by the principles enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). We honor the legacy of our veterans by ensuring that our nation’s sovereignty is respected, especially in the West Philippine Sea,” he said.
He added that the country’s defense of its sovereign rights and territorial integrity is a fight for the future of every Filipino.
“Ang laban na ito ay hindi lang tungkol sa teritoryo. Ito ay laban din para sa ating karapatan, para sa kapayapaan, at para sa kinabukasan ng bawat Pilipino. Ipinaglalaban natin ang mga prinsipyong itinaguyod ng ating mga bayani—karapatan, kalayaan, at katarungan,” he stressed.
The House leader called on the people to “draw strength from the courage of those who came before us.’
“The legacy they left behind is not one of violence, but of enduring peace through unity and determination. Just as they were victorious in the face of adversity, we too can overcome the challenges we face today—whether they are threats to our sovereignty or the persistent challenges of poverty and inequality,” he said.
He said as the nation celebrates the 80th anniversary of the Leyte Landings, ”we are not merely recalling a historic event – we are reaffirming our commitment to the principles of peace, freedom, and sovereignty.”
“These values, which were so valiantly defended by our forefathers, remain crucial as we confront new challenges in a rapidly changing world,” he said.
“Ang magbalik-tanaw sa nakaraan ay isang napakahalagang gawain. Sa pamamagitan ng ganitong mga espesyal na okasyon, binibigyan natin ng halaga at pagkilala ang mga sakripisyo ng mga bayani ng ating bansa. Higit pa rito, ito ay isang paalala na ang kanilang laban para sa kalayaan ay patuloy na ating isinusulong,” he emphasized.
He recalled that the Leyte Landings “marked a turning point in our history, a moment when the tide turned in favor of freedom.”
“On this day, 80 years ago, Filipino and Allied forces joined hands in a historic display of courage and unity that set the stage for the liberation of our country. It was a struggle for freedom from foreign domination, and through their sacrifices, we regained our independence and dignity,” Speaker Romualdez said.
The Leyte Landing commemoration rites were attended by Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., Japanese Ambassador Endo Kazuya, Australian Ambassador HK Yu, US Maj. Gen. Matthew McFarlane, Tingog Partylist Rep. Jude Acidre, local officials led by Gov. Carlos Jericho Petilla, Filipino veterans, and officials of the Philippine Veterans Bank headed by its president, Renato Claravall.
Speaker Romualdez thanked the Filipino veterans and Philippine Veterans Bank officials for helping organize the celebration and the exhibit.
“Maraming salamat sa pamunuan at mga kawani ng Veterans Bank of the Philippines sa pagsasaayos ng okasyon na ito. Maraming salamat din sa lahat ng inyong mga hakbangin upang mabigyang parangal ang kabayanihan ng ating mga magigiting na ninuno, para maging inspirasyon ng kasalukuyang henerasyon,” he said.
