Marcos to poll bets: Prioritize public service

February 13, 2025 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines —  With the electoral campaign heating up, President Marcos reminded candidates yesterday not to forget that the reason they are running for office is for public service.?

Speaking at the general assembly of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines at the Manila Hotel, Marcos noted that the most contentious elections are at the local level.?

“And we know, I myself, in my experience, the most heated elections are in the local government. As a matter of fact, I think, maybe you will agree with me, you are mayors, you see this, the hottest election is barangay, because they know each other, they are relatives, so it becomes personal,” the President said in Filipino.?

“But even in the heat of the campaign, the heat of elections, let us not forget that we all entered public service to help the people,” he said.?

“Even when the electoral fight becomes intense, the debates become acrimonious, in the end, we all are running to help our beloved fellow Filipinos,” the Chief Executive said.?

At the kickoff rally of the administration’s senatorial bets in his bailiwick Ilocos Norte on Tuesday, Marcos took a swipe at his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte over a number of issues that hounded the previous administration, including its brutal drug war and the pivot to China.?He made reference to several controversies tied to the Duterte administration and claimed that none of the senatorial bets were involved in them.?

“Look at the record of our candidates. None of them are tainted with blood because of tokhang,” the President said, referring to Duterte’s anti-drug campaign which killed more than 6,000 suspects based on government data.?“None of them applauded China and was happy when we were fired with water cannons, when the coast guard was hit, when our fishermen were blocked and when their catch was stolen from them,” Marcos said.?The 90-day campaign period for national elections officially began on Feb. 11. For local elections, a 45-day campaign runs from March 28 until May 10.?Twelve spots in the 24-seat Senate, 317 congressional seats and thousands of local posts will be contested in the May 12 polls.?Meanwhile, Marcos called on outgoing local officials to maintain a positive impact on their constituents even after their terms have ended.?“Today we are convened here as leaders and public servants who have dedicated our years and, in many cases our lives, to civil service. For many of us, this is a calling and it is a lifelong commitment to serve our people,” the President said.

“Public service has defined much of my life. I have had the privilege of serving in various capacities – as a legislator, as a governor and now as President,” he said.