MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. vowed to hold accountable those involved in corruption, warning that stealing from public funds robs Filipinos of their future.

In his message during the National Heroes’ Day commemoration at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City, Marcos stressed that while selfless service should guide public officials, some still choose personal gain over national interest.

“Gayunpaman, may iilan pa rin sa atin ang mas pinipili ang sariling interes at kapakanan kaysa sa bayan. Kasabay ng paglipas ng panahon ay ang pagsibol ng mga bagong hamon na kailangan nating harapin,” he said.

“Pananagutin natin ang mga sangkot sa anomalya at katiwalian. Ilalabas natin ang buo at pawang katotohanan. At titiyakin nating hindi na mauulit ang kawalan ng respeto at malasakit sa taumbayan,” Marcos added.

The President also urged Filipinos to take part in fighting corruption and abuse of power.

“Kaya’t magtulong-tulong tayo upang labanan ang korapsyon. Labanan ang pang-aabuso sa tungkulin. Labanan ang pagyurak sa ating Karapatan,” he said. “Sapagkat ito lamang ang paraan upang matamasa natin ang mas maunlad, mas makatarungan, at mas matatag na Bagong Pilipinas.”

Marcos said protecting the country’s freedom requires not just military defense, but also resisting systemic corruption.

“Dahil hindi lamang salapi ang kanilang ninanakaw, kundi pati ang kalusugan, pangarap, at kinabukasan ng mga susunod na henerasyon,” he noted.

After delivering his message, Marcos led the wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and later visited the grave of his father, former President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr.

Among those present at the commemoration were Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr., Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano, and National Historical Commission of the Philippines Chairperson Regalado Trota Jose Jr., along with other officials.