Speech by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at the Oathtaking Ceremony of the Newly Elected and Appointed Officials of the League of Vice Governors of the Philippines (LVGP)

The LVGP President Ma. Christina Garcia; the newly elected and appointed officials of the League of Vice Governors of the Philippines; my fellow workers in government; other distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen.

Good afternoon.

I stand before you, both as a fellow public servant and a hopeful Filipino—steadfast in the belief that the future of our nation depends greatly on the kind of leadership that we here today embody.

First and foremost, congratulations to the newly elected and appointed officials of the League of Vice Governors of the Philippines.

Your appointment signifies a vote of confidence from your colleagues. But more than that, it is also a mandate for transformation.

Tandaan natin: Ang bawat posisyon ay may kaakibat na tungkulin at responsibilidad.

Responsibilidad na itaguyod ang makabuluhang pagbabago sa inyong mga lalawigan.

As vice governors, you are entrusted with a mandate: to preside over your provincial boards and to lead should the need arises.

You are the bridge between aspiration and action, between national vision and local execution.

The people, therefore, expect you to be champions of progress, transparency, inclusivity, and accountability at all times.

Aligned with these expectations, I recognize the LVGP’s progressive steps in further strengthening your competencies in local governance and in legislation.

Through the League’s facilitation of capacity-building activities and regional summits and assemblies, you have deepened the understanding of global best practices in governance, digital transformation, and urban development.

May we embed this commitment in the culture of public service: Always learning, always improving—all for the greater good of those that we serve.

Ladies and gentlemen, amidst the challenges affecting our institutions, we must remain firm, uncompromised, and united in fighting corruption.

The unscrupulous abuse of power and greed must come to an end.

Dismayado ang maraming Pilipino dahil sa mga patong-patong na isyung lumulunod sa kanila araw-araw.

Our people are exhausted, they are disappointed, they are angry.

And as I have said before, their rage is valid. It is born from years of frustration at a government characterized by systemic dysfunction and unfulfilled promises.

Let us not dismiss that anger. Let us confront it. Let us be humble and provide concrete solutions.

Alam naman natin ang mga mali, kaya dapat nating itama.

Reforming our government is the only way we have to win back the trust of our people.

We come from different provinces and parties and have varying perspectives, but we are all united – united in our commitment to serve the Filipino people.

Patunayan natin na wala sa kulay ng politika ang tunay na paglilingkod. Ito ay nasa puso, nasa konsensya, at higit sa lahat ay nasa gawa.

I know we have it in us to deliver the service to our people, which they rightfully deserve.

Ibigay natin iyon sa kanila. Ibigay natin sa mga anak at apo natin ang isang pamahalaang marangal at maipagmamalaki nila.

So, if we truly believe in a Bagong Pilipinas, then we, as leaders, must be the very examples of a Bagong Pilipino—tapat, disiplinado, at may tunay na malasakit para sa bayan.

Once again, congratulations to the newly elected and appointed members and officials of the LVGP.

Mabuhay ang League of Vice Governors of the Philippines!

Mabuhay ang sambayanang Pilipino!

Maraming salamat. Magandang hapon sa inyong lahat. [applause]

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