Speech by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in Observance of National Heroes’ Day

Thank you to our National Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr.

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian; House Speaker Bojie De Guzman Dy III; Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel and the members of the Cabinet; esteemed members of the Diplomatic Corps; the honorable members of Congress; NHCP Chairman Regalado Trota Jose Jr.; Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano; AFP Vice Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Rommel Roldan and the Major Service Commanders; PNP Chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.; Philippine Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan; our honored veterans who are here with us today; my fellow workers in government; ladies and gentlemen.

Magandang araw sa inyong lahat!

As we celebrate National Heroes Day, we honor the Filipinos who gave their courage, their strength, and, in some cases, their lives for the freedom and dignity of our nation.

We remember the heroes whose names are written in our history, and the countless others whose sacrifices were known only to their families and their communities.

Filipinos from different walks of life sacrificed their safety, their comfort, and their lives to raise a young Republic that would nurture future generations.

And some who, during the war, guarded their communities, healed the wounded, and assisted the revolutionaries.

These heroes kept the flame of the revolution alive through their support to the Republic. They did their part each day so that we could enjoy our freedom today.

While not all of them would be immortalized in letter, stone, or metal, we dedicate this day each year to remember their contributions to our country’s freedom and independence.

But the National Heroes Day also offers an invitation to look beyond the pages of history.

After all, the spirit of heroism lives on because every generation gives it a new face.

Sa kasalukuyan, may mga bayaning patuloy na naglilingkod sa sambayanan.

Nariyan ang ating mga OFW na malayo sa kanyang tahanan ngunit nagsisikap araw-araw para sa pag-unlad ng kanyang pamilya at ng kanyang bayan.

Nariyan ang mga bumbero, mga pulis, sundalo, emergency responder na unang sumasaklolo sa ating mga kababayang nahaharap sa panganib.

Nariyan ang gurong tumatawid ng ilog at umaakyat ng bundok upang makapagbigay ng kaalaman at magandang kinabukasan sa kanyang mga estudyante.

Nariyan ang mga healthcare worker na, sa kabila ng hirap at layo, ay nagbibigay aruga sa mga may sakit na kapus-palad.

Nariyan ang mga ama’t ina, o kaya naman, mga tumatayong padre de pamilya na walang tigil ang pagtatrabaho upang mabigyan ng mas maginhawang buhay ang kanilang minamahal sa buhay.

Nariyan ang Philippine Coast Guard, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources—kasama ang ating mga mangingisda—na nasa unahan ng pagprotekta sa ating mga karapatan, kabuhayan, at pambansang interes sa West Philippine Sea.

Ilan lamang sila sa maraming mukha ng kabayanihan sa ating panahon. Sapagkat sa iba’t ibang paraan at sa bawat pagkakataon, may mga Pilipinong patuloy na nagsasakripisyo, naglilingkod, at gumagawa ng kabutihan para sa kapwa, para sa bayan.

This is especially meaningful as we confront the challenges before our nation today.

In my recent State of the Nation Address, I reaffirmed that our duty to the people extends to protecting the country’s interests, upholding the rule of law, and securing the resources upon which our communities depend.

This is timely as 2026 marks a decade since the 2016 Arbitral Award affirmed the Philippines’ maritime entitlements under the UNCLOS.

Ipaglalaban natin ang ating mga karapatan sa paraang mapayapa, naaayon sa batas, at naaayon sa ating mga prinsipyo.

But defending our territory is a responsibility shared by the entire nation.

It calls on each of us to understand our history, to know our rights, and to take part in protecting the national interests.

We begin by educating the youth on where our maritime rights come from and why they matter.

Across every platform available to us, we shall champion truth, counter disinformation, and encourage responsible discourse.

Our fisherfolk, too, deserve our unconditional support. Their continued presence in our waters strengthens our connection to our maritime territory.

Above all, we have a duty to uphold the integrity of our institutions—by demanding transparency, accountability, and a standard of service worthy of the Filipino people.

Sapagkat ang tibay ng ating paninindigan bilang bansa ay nagsisimula sa lalim ng ating kaalaman at lakas ng ating pagkakabuklod-buklod bilang isang bayan.

Magkakaiba man ang ating pamamaraan, iisa ang mensahe ng mga ito: Ang Pilipinas ay

karapat-dapat na ipaglaban. Ang bawat Pilipino ay karapat-dapat na paglingkuran. Ang ating soberanya ay karapat-dapat na ipagtanggol.

Ganito natin binibigyan ng mukha ang kabayanihan sa ating panahon: sa pagkilala sa ating bayan, sa pagtataguyod sa mga karapatan nito, at sa paggawa ng ating responsibilidad upang manatiling matatag, malaya, at nagkakaisa ang Pilipinas.

Together, let us shape a Bagong Pilipinas whose people stand firm against all forms of pressures,

where institutions serve with integrity, and where sovereignty remains secure for generations to come.

Maraming salamat po.

Mabuhay ang mga bayaning Pilipino!

Mabuhay ang Bagong Pilipinas! [applause]

—END–