Speech by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at the 49th National Prayer Breakfast

Thank you, Executive Secretary Chief Luc Bersamin. [Please be seated.]

His Excellency Tull Traisorat, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to the Philippines; Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Secretary Frederick Go and other members of the Cabinet; honorable members of the Philippine Congress; the Philippine National Prayer Breakfast Foundation Inc. Chairman Raoul Victorino; PNPB Foundation Inc. President Jose Villanueva; former Chief Justice Reynato Puno; Reverend Peter Tan-Chi; officials and members of the PNPB Foundation Inc.; my fellow workers in government; other distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen, good morning.

This event – we are blessed once again as we hold this event as it is a particularly appropriate time considering the challenges that our fellow Filipinos have been facing since October 21 when Severe Tropical Storm Kristine entered our area and until today, as Typhoon Pepito crosses our archipelago.

Our collective faith and prayer to the Almighty is the most powerful tool that we have to weather these storms and the destruction that they bring.

And so, it is with gratitude and a sense of purpose that I join this Philippine National Prayer Breakfast or PNPB.

The PNPB reminds us that leadership without faith is a ship without a compass: it will sail, but it will drift.

True leadership, the kind that transforms people’s lives for the better, is guided by wisdom and is rooted in faith and in God.

And that’s why, Reverend, when I pray I only do two things in my prayers: I thank God for the blessings that we have already received and I pray that He continues to bless me with wisdom, with compassion, and with the love of our country that will be forever undying. [applause]

While our knowledge may guide our actions, it is divine wisdom—the kind that prayer instills, the kind that calls us to action anchored in moral clarity—that illuminates our path.

For almost half a century, this gathering has stood as a testament to the power of faith—one that transcends boundaries, binds us in hope, and serves as both compass and anchor for the leadership.

It is in this shared space of reflection that we rediscover the courage to act decisively, the humility to listen intently, and the resolve to build a nation that reflects the best of what we are.

The vision of the PNPB—to unite in the spirit of Christ, shaping our lives according to God’s will, and working together to bring about the realization of God’s reign in the Philippines—is a clarion call to all who bear the responsibility of leadership to look beyond the immediate, to aspire to what is enduring, to what is righteous.

The PNPB has been a cornerstone of national reflection, a moment when leaders set aside titles and agenda and come together as equals in prayer.

In a world where the pace of change can outstrip our capacity to care for others, such moments of collective introspection are more crucial than ever.

The world and our country are facing so much divisiveness—in belief, in politics, even generational and cultural differences. These often make us forget our humanity, that we are one in our shared goal: to serve our fellow Filipinos, to help the Philippines flourish.

The mission of the PNPB—to inspire leaders to embrace prayer, reflect on God’s Word, and lead with integrity—is a reminder that leadership demands accountability to a greater, much higher standard.

Let us ensure that in every decision, in every action, the spirit of love, mercy, and humility is present.

To all the future leaders amongst us, let us remember this: faith is a beacon for the future. Let it guide you as you navigate the uncharted waters of leadership. You will draw courage from it when faced with doubt, it will temper your ambition with a sense of purpose greater than self.

Let us bequeath to the next generation a leadership culture that values integrity over expediency, vision over short-term goals, and harmony over discord.

Today, I extend an invitation to recommit: Recommit to the responsibility of service imbued with faith, where decisions are made not in haste but with prayerful discernment. [applause]

Let us renew our pledge to seek divine wisdom, to build bridges where there are divides, and to lead with conviction our nation’s best days are ahead of us.

With God’s grace, we can achieve this Bagong Pilipinas of peace, unity, and lasting prosperity.

Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat!

Mabuhay ang Bagong Pilipinas!

Mabuhay ang sambayanang Pilipino! [applause]

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