The Rotary Balita no. 700 (July 17, 1953)

"The Filipino people have not enjoyed in full political freedom despite the country's six years of political emancipation," said Senator Claro M. Recto. Recto in his address recited a litany of alleged Liberal sins of omission and commission during the six years of Philippine independence. Among the alleged sins he mentioned were: suspension of the writ of habeas corpus, rampant unemployment and spiraling of the prices of vital commodities. One cheering factor in the phase of these pressures is the determination of the people to attain independence according to their ideals and aspirations, the Batangas Solon claimed. “Independence, by itself," he said, "does not guarantee, and it has not assured our political rights and individual liberties." “Nor does independence by itself guarantee economic security and social justice," he added. "In comparison with the era of full American sovereignty, we pay now higher taxes for less efficient public services by a wasteful administration; we run our government on a continuous deficit, instead of wholesome superavits ; our finances are shaky; our social problem and its concomitants of peace and order, a thousand fold more acute to such an extent that are armed forces of the Philippines are totally engaged in police work, capturing one Huk commander today, and killing a dozen of the rank and file tomorrow, at the cost of millions of pesos for every high sounding operation, while leaving external perils and threats of aggression to the care of powerful protection."