Press Release - Robin: Action and Discipline, Keys to Achieving Freedom from Poverty

Action and discipline - like the one learned by the Armed Forces of the Philippines' new 48 reservists from the Senate - are the keys to achieving freedom from poverty, Sen. Robinhood "Robin" C. Padilla said on Independence Day 2024.

Padilla stressed that while the Philippines is free from foreign conquerors, it is still not free from poverty, even as he expressed hopes the time will come that this freedom will be earned.

During a program marking Independence Day at the Senate, Padilla also disclosed his wife and children are planning to undergo Basic Citizens Military Course (BCMC), similar to the one undergone by 48 new Navy reservists from the Senate.

"Ang atin pong pinagdiriwang ngayon ay ang ating kalayaan laban sa mga dayuhan. Pero hanggang sa mga oras na ito, hindi pa po tayo nakakalaya sa kahirapan. Kaya sana dumating ang panahon (na) makamtan natin ang kalayaan sa kahirapan (What we are celebrating today is our freedom from foreign rule. But we are not yet free from poverty. I hope for the day we can earn our freedom from poverty)," he said.

"Sana dumating ang panahon na magkaisa tayo patungo sa pagbabago. Yan kailangan natin, disiplina, makuha sa AFP sana lahat na Pilipino may ganitong training na nangyari (I hope the time will come we will be united for change. We need discipline. I hope Filipinos will be open to undergo such training)," he added.

Also, Padilla said one of the keys to earning freedom from poverty starts with action and a sense of public service. He pointed out freedom is earned, not given free.

"Walang libre sa mundo. Ang kalayaan na yan pinaglalaban yan... Kung wala sa puso mo ang pagibig mo sa bayan di mo gagawin yan (Nothing is free in this world. We must fight for freedom. If you do not have love for country in your heart, you would not do it)," he said.

He reiterated the BCMC and Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) training, which he is advocating, should not be seen as gearing for war but for public service.

"Paano natin pagtatanggol (ang ating kalayaan)? Giyera ba yan? Hindi. Ang pinaguusapan pagseserbisyo natin, kailangan serbisyo sa bayan totoo (How do we defend our freedom? Is war the answer? No. We are talking about