PRESIDENT Maros Jr. yesterday urged the public to help make the Philippines a nation where “the rule of law reigns supreme, where justice is not selective, and where every Filipino enjoys the freedoms, the rights, and the dignity that they are entitled to.”

The President made the call during the commemoration of the 63rd anniversary of the Philippine Constitution Association (PHILCONSA) in Malacanang.

He acknowledged that there are still a lot of laws that need to be passed to “breathe life” into the 1987 Constitution, to fully empower the Filipinos, and to deepen democracy being enjoyed in the country.

“It is high time that we take decisive action. The Bagong Pilipinas calls upon all the branches of the government to rise to this challenge. So, as we celebrate today’s milestone, let us commit ourselves to the unfinished work of democracy. Let us breathe life into the principles enshrined in our Constitution,” he said.

“History is watching us. As we look to the future, let us remember that the Constitution is our guiding light towards a just, prosperous, and resilient Philippines,” he added.

During the event, the President recognized the role of PHILCONSA in preserving and protecting democracy in the country, acknowledging it for being a steadfast, vigilant, and uncompromising guardian of our democracy.

Marcos said that despite global uncertainties and geopolitical tensions, the Philippines has remained a bastion of resilience, peace, and stability.

He said among these “tensions” is the rising maritime tension in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) that has resulted in fears of a possible greater conflict.

Despite this, he reiterated that the Philippines continues to assert its sovereignty and jurisdiction to protect the integrity of its national territory.

He said Congress also continues to work on the passage of several legislations, including the Maritime Zones Bill which clarifies the geographical extent of the maritime domain, and the Archipelagic Sea Lanes (ASLs) Bill that seeks to establish ASLs in the Philippines’ archipelagic waters and the adjacent territorial sea.

Former Chief Justice and PHILCONSA chairman Reynato Puno inducted First Lady Louise ‘’Liza’’ Araneta-Marcos and former Chief Justice Teresita de Castro as regular members of the association, and lawyer Michelle Lazaro as the group’s secretary-general.

Founded on September 26, 1961, PHILCONSA is a 130-member non-stock and non-profit civic organization of legal luminaries, business and socio-civic leaders that is committed to defending and preserving the Constitution, engendering awareness and stimulating public interest in the basic law by promoting its importance and relevance through a continuing nationwide information and educational campaign.