Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. leads the oath-taking of the new officers of the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) and the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) at the Kalayaan Hall in Malacañang Palace, Manila, on October 7, 2025. Mark Balmores, PPA pool

Article (news)

MARCOS

Job Manahan

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176103040174420251007-marcos-lcp-oathtaking-PPA-4.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. leads the oath-taking of the new officers of the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) and the League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) at the Kalayaan Hall in Malacañang Palace, Manila, on October 7, 2025. Mark Balmores, PPA pool</span></span></span></div><p>MANILA<strong> (UPDATE)</strong> — President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. believes the government can still be trusted by the Filipino public, saying his administration continues to correct past wrongdoings even if the process is “hard” and even “painful.” </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/15/71-percent-of-filipinos-believe-those-responsible-for-flood-control-scandal-will-be-punished-1131">&#x27;Big majority&#x27; of Filipinos believe culprits in flood control corruption will be punished: Pulse Asia</a></div><p>During his speech at the awarding of the Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos in Malacañang, Marcos, Jr. noted the efforts of the 10 awardees in their communities – who he said dedicated their lives to public service with honor. </p><p>At the tail-end of his speech though, the President posed a “difficult question”: if the Filipino public could still trust the government despite issues of corruption that hounded the nation. </p><p>“To that, I say: Look at these men and women. In their service, you will find your answer. Because of them, we are reminded that hope is never lost, that integrity lives in our institutions, that honor still defines what it means to be a Filipino,” he said.</p><p>He said the 10 awardees – composed of soldiers, teachers, and police officers – are part of the government’s inspiration to correct all wrongdoings committed in the past. </p><p>Metrobank Foundation&#x27;s 10 Outstanding Filipinos for this year, which coincided with the program’s 40th year, are the following:</p><div><br/></div><p>• PMSg Ivan A. Velasco </p><p>• PMAJ Elmira A. Relox </p><p>• PCOL Frederick E. Obar </p><p>• UO1 Anro Anthony M. Turallo</p><p>• PN Col Ricky L. Canatoy</p><p>• PA Col. Joey T. Fontiveros</p><p>• PA Mr. Noel V. Sadinas </p><p>• Mr. Armando Perfecto C. Molin </p><p>• Ms. Mylene M. Uy</p><p>• Angelo Mark P. Walag, PhD</p><div><br/></div><p>Each awardee got P1 million, a Medallion of Excellence, and “The Flame” trophy.</p><p>“Bawat tapat na guro, sundalo, at pulis ay isang tagumpay laban sa katiwalian at pangungutya na sumasalot sa ating bansa,” Marcos said.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>&#x27;FIGHT WON&#x27;T BE EASY&#x27;</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>As part of his anti-corruption drive, Marcos Jr. last month created the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) to investigate all public infrastructure projects in the last decade.</p><p>“Patuloy tayo sa paglilinis ng hanay ng pamahalaan upang matiyak na ang bawat opisyal, bawat lingkod-bayan ay karapat-dapat sa tiwalang ibinibigay sa kanila ng taumbayan,” said the President.</p><p>The fight, according to him, would “not be easy.” </p><p>“Marami pa tayong haharapin, marami pa tayong pagdadaanan,” he said. </p><p>“It will be hard and sometimes it will be painful, but it will be worth it because what we are fighting for is a country that our children will inherit [and] a nation that they can be proud of, that they can be proud to say I am Filipino,” he added.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/13/pulse-asia-most-filipinos-critical-of-gov-t-response-to-inflation-corruption-1109">Pulse Asia: Most Filipinos ‘critical’ of gov’t response to inflation, corruption</a></div><p>A Pulse Asia survey released last week found that a big majority of the adult population or 81 percent distrust the Department of Public Works and Highways in fighting flood control corruption, adding that distrust was also the plurality sentiment toward Marcos at 45 percent.</p><p>The same survey also noted that 71 percent of Filipinos are optimistic that corrupt politicians and their accomplices in the flood control corruption scandal will be punished.</p><div><br/></div><div><em></em><strong>RELATED VIDEOS</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Sl1daHU6e7M?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CTz8aDj5HNQ?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>"Kasama po kayo sa aming inspirasyon upang magsumikap na itama ang mga nakagawiang mali sa gobyerno," President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. said.</p>

"Kasama po kayo sa aming inspirasyon upang magsumikap na itama ang mga nakagawiang mali sa gobyerno," President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. said.

Marcos says gov't can still be trusted as it strives to correct past wrongdoings

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Marcos says gov't can still be trusted as it strives to correct past wrongdoings

Job Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published Oct 21, 2025 03:09 PM PHT

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Updated Oct 21, 2025 03:31 PM PHT

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