CJ Sereno: Malolos Constitution embodies democracy, freedom of Filipinos

By Minde Nyl Dela Cruz

Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno giving her
message during the 115th Anniversary of the
First Philippine Republic in Malolos City, Bulacan.

MALOLOS CITY, Bulacan—"Hindi man ito naipatupad dahil sa pagputok ng digmaan sa pagitan ng mga Pilipino at Estados Unidos, sinasalamin ng Konstitusyon ng Malolos ang masidhing pagnanais nating mga Pilipino na magkaroon ng pagbabago sa pamahalaan."

Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno made this statement during the celebration of the 115th Anniversary of the First Philippine Republic where she attended the event as guest of honour last January 23.

The highest leader of the Judiciary explained to the people gathered in the patio of the historical Barasoain Church the relevance of the Malolos Constitution of 1899 to the present Constitution of 1987.

Sereno said that the First Republic shows the aspirations of our Filipino ancestors to have their own government that is free from the dictatorship of the tyrants.

It also provided foundation to the Constitution currently in effect and observed in the country.

"Sinasabi ko po sa ngalan ng buong Hudikatura na marami po kaming utang na loob sa mga konseptong inilatag ng ating mga magigiting na ninuno noong 1898 hanggang 1899 sa pamamagitan ng Konstitusyon ng Malolos," Sereno mentioned.

Even though the 1899 Constitution was short-lived and adapted from the different constitutions of other countries, Sereno emphasized that the First Republic was created by Filipinos and Filipinos alone.

"Testamento ang Konstitusyon ng Malolos sa hangarin ng ating mga kababayan na magtransisyon mula sa diktaturyal at rebolusyonaryong pamahalaan na kinakailangan noong panahon ng digmaan patungo sa sistema ng republika na may malinaw na pagtatakda ng kapangyarihan at pananagutan ng bawat isa," the Chief Justice explained.

Sereno said that the First Republic is a reminder of how our ancestors valued democracy and this should be continued up to the present.

"Mula sa mga tagapagbuo ng Konstitusyon ng Malolos, natututunan rin po natin na dapat ipaglaban at laging pahalagahan ang kalayaan," she stated.

"Malinaw rin po ang ipinagtitibay ng pakikipaglaban nila, na dapat po tayong maniwala sa ating sariling kakayahan para mag-asam ng kalayaan at panagutan ito."

Apart from the Chief Justice, Laguna Gov. ER Ejercito also attended the event, together with her wife, Pagsanjan Mayor Maita Sanchez-Ejercito.

Bulacan Gov. Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado was also present as well as Vice Gov. Daniel Fernando, Malolos City Mayor Christian Natividad and Vice Mayor Gilbert Gatchalian, National Historical Commission of the Philippines Chairman Ludovico Badoy.

Mayors from the different municipalities of the province were also part of the audience, along with war veterans, the employees of the local government unit and students who joined in with the celebration. ###