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JV Ejercito urges San Juan LGU to “respect and honor” national heroes amid relocation of historic monuments

May 09, 2023

Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito on Monday condemned the recent relocation of three monuments honoring Katipunan founder Andres Bonifacio, revolutionary general Emilio Jacinto, and nationalist writer Dr. Jose Rizal from key areas in San Juan.

Ejercito said these monuments were installed in public and conspicuous locations to remind San Juan’s residents, especially the youth, of the city’s role in the 1896 Philippine Revolution.

“Ibigay po sana natin mga bayani ang espasyo na nararapat para sa kanila: sa ating mga lungsod at bulawagan, ngunit higit sa lahat, hayaan natin silang manahan sa ating mga puso,” he said in his privilege speech.

“Respeto at pagpapahalaga. Mahirap po ba iyong ibigay? Nakakatakot na may ganitong opisyal na walang respeto at pagpapahalaga sa mga bayani! Huwag naman po sanang idamay ang kadakilaan ng ating mga bayani ng dahil lamang sa pulitika,” he added.

The Bonifacio, Jacinto, and Rizal monuments were recently moved to obscure areas around the Pinaglabanan Shrine complex – far from pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

The Bonifacio and Jacinto monuments were previously situated along Pinaglabanan Street, a bustling thoroughfare at the heart of San Juan, while the Rizal monument was located at the Plaza Mayor. All three monuments were made by renowned sculptor Eduardo Castrillo.

The former commemorates the two key figures who led the Battle of San Juan del Monte, the first battle of the Philippine Revolution. The battle took place on August 30, 1896, shortly after the abrupt discovery of the Katipunan and its plans for revolution.

“Hindi po isang theme park ang Pinaglabanan Shrine kung saan basta-basta na lamang itatambak ang iba’t ibang mga karakter,” Ejercito said.

The Senator from San Juan said the public funds used for the relocation of these monuments should have been spent on more important programs.

“Sa panahon po na nasa proseso pa rin ng pag-bangon ang ating mga kababayan mula sa hagupit ng pandemya, sana po ay ibinuhos ang salapi ng pamahalaan sa mas makabuluhang mga bagay kaysa sa pagbulabog sa mga nananahimik na monumento ng mga bayani,” he said.

All three monuments were erected during Ejercito’s first term as Mayor of San Juan. Aside from these landmarks, the Museo ng Katipunan was also established through Ejercito’s initiative. This was followed by the rehabilitation of the El Deposito Underground Reservoir during the term of his mother, former Mayor Guia Gomez.

“Ang mga bantayog po ay landmarks o palatandaan ng isang mahalagang kaganapan. Ang mga landmarks po na ito ay symbols of pride para po gunitain ang kadakilaan at kabayaninhan ng ating pong Gat Andres Bonifacio, ang Ama ng Katipunan, at iba pang Katipunero,” Ejercito said.

“Sa ibang bansa nga po ay pinahahalagahan nila ang kanilang mga landmarks, sana po ay ganoon din tayo. Hindi lamang po ito simpleng mga bantayog o landmarks, kundi maituturing din pong mga milestones sa pagpapaunlad at pagpapahalaga sa ating kasaysayan,” he added.