AMID the flood control and corruption controversy linking some government officials, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. urged Filipinos to learn about genuine public service from his father and asked them to always “side with the national interest, in the interest of Filipinos.”
The President, during the commemoration in Batac, Ilocos Norte, of the 108th birth anniversary of his father, former president Ferdinand E. Marcos, said Filipinos must always do the right thing despite the difficulties.
“We will not allow any great power, any person, to humiliate or to put down any Filipino. Also, we must always remember to do the right thing – that despite the difficulties, we must always find ourselves on the right side of history,” Marcos said.
He said there are actually a lot of lessons to be learned from his father, who served as president from December 1965 to February 1986.
He said among these is to maintain one’s dignity, respect the dignity of every Filipino and to fight for the dignity of every Filipino.
He said another lesson that was instilled in him was to “never take the easy way out” while always doing the right thing.
The President urged Filipinos to live up to the standards set by his late father and the legacy that he left behind.
Marcos said it is not enough to do just one or two good things but to live a life of service, a life of commitment, and a life of sacrifice for our people.
The late president served as the 10th president of the Philippines.
The older Marcos was a lawyer by profession and was elected as a member of the House of Representatives for three terms from 1949 to 1959 and of the Senate from 1959 to 1965, serving as Senate president from 1963 to 1965.
Before the wreath laying, the incumbent president and members of the First Family attended a Thanksgiving Mass at the Immaculate Conception Parish in Batac City.
Marcos also led the distribution of medical equipment for Ilocos Norte municipalities at the Imelda Cultural Center. The equipment was provided by the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) as part of the Marcos Day celebration.
The President also joined the participants of the “Natnateng Cook-Off Showdown,” a culinary event that showcases various signature vegetable dishes in Ilocos Norte.
Marcos, who is set to celebrate his birthday this weekend, was also serenaded with the traditional Ilokano song ‘Padapadakam’ and given flowers during the event.
