Dili, 03 February 2025 –Centro Nacional Chega! I.P. and tutelage institutions from the Prime Minister Cabinet (GPM), the Council of Ministers, the Secretary of State for Social Communication, and the Secretary of State for Equality participated in a flag-raising ceremony at the Government Palace in Dili, Timor-Leste. The ceremony was led by the Vice Prime Minister and Minister Coordinator for Social Affairs, along with the Minister of Rural Development and Community Housing, Eng. Mariano Assanami Sabino. In his speech, he emphasized that the Government Palace is known as the Proclamation Square of Independence. This site is essential for the people of Timor, as many heroes gathered there to raise the flag and declare independence.
Their fight was to liberate this homeland and its people. Once our homeland is established as a free and democratic independent country, we will have our national symbol, national flag, national anthem, etc. Here at the Government Palace, we stand to add their struggle for liberation with the vision to liberate the people. To reach this vision, we must uphold the honorable promise and abide by our oath as public employees. In line with our initial oath, we sing the national anthem of Pátria, which means “homeland,” along with the public service anthem to demonstrate our commitment. It is important to emphasize that this commitment should remain separate from political parties. As a result of democracy, political parties have existed. Therefore, today, we gather here to affirm our dedication to our work.
“The liberation is continuously granted to the people. Today, we are called to fulfill our promises and uphold the commitment linked to the oath we took as public employees. We must honor both the public service anthem and the national anthem,” said the Vice Minister in his remarks at the government palace in Dili on February 3, 2025.
He highlighted that when we sing the National Anthem of Pátria, Pátria is an honor commitment of ours. By placing our hands over our chests, proving the totality of our commitment is no reservation as long as our heart is still beating – we give all to our homeland. Today, we have various digitalization methods for our participation at work, but not enough. Here, our heart must control – it must go on. Raising the flag reflects our commitment, seriousness, consistency, and discipline.
“Being public employees, we must reflect on ourselves to change our outlooks, minds, behavior, and lives. We sometimes see the various political parties and groups are different. However, it is the consequences of the Republic of the Democratic Nation that provide us various options and parties with multi-organization to reinforce our state-building and unification, this reinforces that we are simply Timorese,” Vice PM suggested.
Today, the world is confronted with significant challenges which we will face. However, we can advance this country through unity, consistency, and commitment to fulfilling our responsibilities and duties.
Meanwhile, the national flag-raising ceremony is a routine event for state and government institutions, taking place in the first week of every month to demonstrate our nationalism and patriotism in serving the people and this land.
