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

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'Let us build a nation where the justice he fought for is realized in the everyday lives of all Filipinos,' President Marcos says in his Rizal Day message

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.

In her Rizal Day message, ML Representative Leila de Lima recalled the words of Rizal in relation to the “continuous plunder and abuses committed by those in power and their enablers” in the country: “The tyranny of some is possible only through cowardice and negligence on the part of others.”

“Kung paiiralin pa rin ang kaduwagan at kapabayaan, laging mauulit ang karahasan at pagmamalabis ng mga nasa kapangyarihan, pati na ng mga dayuhan sa ating mga karagatan sa WPS. Nawawalan ng saysay ang ipinaglaban ng ating mga bayani, at ang taon-taong paggunita sa kanilang katapangan at kadakilaan kung patuloy na naaapi ang mas nakararami,” she said.

(If we allow cowardice and neglect to prevail, there will be never-ending violence and abuse of those in power, as well as foreigners in the West Philippine Sea. The efforts of our heroes will be futile, as well as the annual commemoration of their courage and heroism if the majority of Filipinos continue to be oppressed.) – Rappler.com