Elena Bautista-Horn, the Presidential Management Staff head said that the celebration on June 12 will feature a grand fireworks display and an 11 float parade. In the afternoon, a civic military will be staged for showcasing the achievements of President GMA. There is also free rides of LRT-MRT for those students who want to watch the fireworks display.
Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes Jr. said that the grand exit of the outgoing President should be opposed. He explained, "People don’t need Arroyo to have a grand exit. The real meaning of Independence Day should be observed instead of being hijacked with narrow political ends. It will be a dishonor to our forefathers if June 12 will be converted into an Arroyo circus."
Bautista-Horn defended the P10 million budget because she said this celebration is for the people to make sure that the celebration will be enjoyed by the whole nation.
I beg to disagree by what Bautista-Horn had said. No doubt that Independence Day is for the people but are they sure that the celebration will be enjoyed by the whole nation? I may be 'pilosopo' and I am from Cebu but can I go to Manila to witness the expensive celebration for free? I cannot even have a free ride of the LRT-MRT because I am not from Manila so I must say this can be only enjoyed by the people who are in Manila and not by the whole nation.
The P10M budget is very expensive and I think that spending this too much does not fit our country's status.