On Rizal Day, Marcos urges Filipinos to ‘choose country over personal interests’

MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday, December 30, urged Filipinos to follow the path taken by national hero Jose Rizal and “choose country over personal interests.”

Marcos, who made the call in his message on Rizal Day, led the 129th anniversary of the heroism and martyrdom of Rizal at the Rizal Monument in Manila, accompanied by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and their children, including House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos.

“Across all spheres in life, both public and private, may we allow Rizal’s principles to guide the way we live and work for our nation so that in whatever we do, we always choose compassion over indifference and country over personal interests,” Marcos said.

“Let us build a nation where the justice he fought for is realized in the everyday lives of all Filipinos,” he added.

Marcos acknowledged Filipinos’ contrinue outrage over corruption in government, which was inadvertently sparked by the President’s declared crackdown on flood control projects corruption in his State of the Nation Address in July.

“Today, as Filipinos demand integrity and accountability from its leaders, we look up to his life to provide us with guidance and strength,” the President said.

 “Let our celebration deepen our resolve to live by the values he embodied: love of country, respect for truth, a tireless pursuit of just reform, and the courage to speak and act for what is right,” he added. – Rappler.com