President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday called on government officials to always put the nation’s interest first and consider what is in the best interest of the Filipino people.
He made the call during the wreath-laying ceremony for the 109th birth anniversary of his father, former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
“Perhaps the most important lesson that I learned from him was, public service must be about your country and your countrymen. I today carry the responsibilities of that office, but the same principles continue to guide me every single day,” Marcos said.
He recalled that his father taught him never to take the easy way out and to do what is right, no matter how difficult it may be.
“His way was to teach by example and to teach by leadership. And even when I was just talking to him, even when I was just spending time with him, what rare time that was, I did not know it. But he was already teaching me, that he was already training me,” the President noted.
“And he was training me not to become an important public figure, not to reach the heights of political leadership and position, but he taught me about public service,” he added.
He said his father’s principle of public service guided him throughout his life, even when he was President.
“I today carry the responsibilities of that office, but the same principles continue to guide me every single day,” Marcos said.
“We must always remember that there is no sacrifice too great for your people and for your country… It is not a lesson only for those in government. It is something all of us must carry into our everyday lives. We must serve our fellow Filipinos and we must do our part to leave the Philippines in a better place than we found it,” he added.
Prior to the wreath-laying ceremony, the Marcos family heard Thanksgiving Mass at the Immaculate Conception Parish in Batac as part of the commemoration of the Marcos patriarch’s birth anniversary.
The President also attended the Natnateng Cook-off at the Imelda Cultural Center and witnessed the cultural show “Raniag Ti Amianan” at the Salakot Theatre of the Ilocandia Cultural Center.