Privilege Speech of Senator Teofisto “TG” Guingona III, marking the 114th birthday of Sen. Lorenzo Tañada,
August 13, 2012

Today, I speak before this honorable body not to expose, oppose, nor condemn. In this time of great debates, sorrows, and calamities, I take the time to praise of a man from whose vision came forth a stream of heroes, especially in the days and years of severe oppression, tyranny, and dictatorship.

When the Martial Law Regime deprived us of rights and liberties, scores of Filipinos became heroes.

Those years yielded stiff and widespread resistance among lovers of freedom and democracy. The intelligentsia and common tao, the rich and those who toil, they joined hands to fight for freedom in hills and streets.

DAPAT MAISALAYSAY NANG PAULIT-ULIT ANG KANILANG LABAN PARA MAITATAK SA ISIP NG MGA NAGNANAIS BALIIN ANG DEMOKRASYA NG BAYAN, NA HANGGANG KAMATAYAN, LALABAN ANG PILIPINO PARA SA KATOTOHANAN, KALAYAAN, AT KARAPATAN – GAANO MAN KATAGAL ANG HIRAP NG PAKIKIBAKA.

[THE STORY OF THEIR FIGHT SHOULD BE TOLD OVER AND OVER AGAIN SO AS TO WARN FUTURE DICTATORS AND EVILS THAT, UNTIL DEATH, FILIPINOS WILL FIGHT FOR DEMOCRACY, FREEDOM AND OUR RIGHTS – NO MATTER HOW LONG IT TAKES.]

They are worth remembering: Chino Roces, Evelio Javier, Rolando Olalia, Alex Boncayao, Eman Lacaba, Lean Alejandro, Cory Aquino, my fellow Atenean Edgar Jopson, and a horde of heroes from the youth and toiling masses who offered life and limb for freedom.

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