Marcos calls his father ‘a true Filipino, an Ilocano icon’

HONOR THY FATHER President Marcos lays a wreath at the monument of his father and namesake in Batac, Ilocos Norte, on Monday, in commemoration of the latter’s 106th birth anniversary. NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

President Marcos on Monday led ceremonies in Batac City, Ilocos Norte, for the 106th birth anniversary of his late father and namesake, whom he called “a true Filipino and Ilocano icon.”

In his speech after the wreath-laying ceremony at the monument of his father in Batac, the President paid tribute to what he described as his father’s “rich legacy to the nation.”

“For the peace and order that he fought and stood for, the development that he inspired our own citizens to build and the dreams that he left in the hearts of many, he remains a true Filipino and Ilocano icon whose exceptional mind matched the nation-loving spirit that he possessed and that he demonstrated,” Mr. Marcos said.

In a post on his Facebook page, the President said he would continue his father’s work for the benefit of the country.

“Your legacy lives on, and for as long as I’m here, I will use everything I learned from you to continue your work,” he said.

In Batac, the President called on young leaders and government officials to emulate the values, ideals and vision of his father for the Philippines.

“It is not necessary for us to hold ceremonies, parades, or the like, to give credit to the efforts and sacrifices of Apo Lakay and those who have gone before him who share a deep and committed love for the Philippines.

Instead, let us act in our own small and unique ways to support [the] government, to support our people in all the initiatives and programs, and continue to instill in every Filipino the sense of ownership and accountability in building our great nation,” he said.

‘Marcoses are back’

Meanwhile, a group of martial law survivors urged Filipinos to keep vigil over what they called “Marcosian corruption” in the 2024 budget deliberations.

On Monday, the Campaign Against the Return of the Marcoses and Martial Law (Carmma) noted that reality “stares us in the face, and it must now be accepted even by the staunchest Marcos critic, that the Marcoses are back.”

By this, they meant the “world-class plunder and corruption” seen in the passage of the so-called Maharlika Investment Fund as well as the multimillion confidential and intelligence funds being sought by the Office of the Vice President under Sara Duterte.

These things, said Carmma convener Bonifacio Ilagan, “hugely scandalous in these times of mass poverty and want.”

Carmma called on Filipinos “to be vigilant, make their voices heard and join protest actions as Congress deliberates the proposed national budget for 2024.”Ilagan said they joined calls to abolish confidential and intelligence funds which are beyond audit scrutiny. INQ

READ: Bongbong Marcos on his father’s birthday: He fought for peace and order