President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday called on Filipinos to draw inspiration from the Blessed Virgin Mary as the nation marked the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, urging the public to begin their actions with truth, humility, and compassion.
In a message, Mr. Marcos said the feast highlights Mary’s life as one rooted “entirely in God’s favor,” noting that her example offers the country a model of purity, devotion, and unwavering faith.
“The Immaculate Conception reminds us that the way we begin matters,” he said. “If we sow pride, we reap division; if we sow deceit, we reap distrust. But if we begin with truth, humility, and compassion for the least among us, we can build a more just and peaceful Bagong Pilipinas,” the President added.
He said Mary is not a distant figure for the Church, but a mother who intercedes, guides, and shows what it means to belong to God wholeheartedly. He asked Filipinos to draw strength from Mary’s life as the nation continues rebuilding its institutions and pursuing unity.
Vice President Sara Duterte, in a video statement, urged Filipinos to remain steadfast in their beliefs and work for the common good. “Amid disasters, political turmoil, and social strife, may this celebration inspire us to cultivate hope, support one another, and work toward progress,” she said.
The Department of National Defense meanwhile expressed hope that the celebration’s lessons on faith, purity, and moral integrity will continue to guide all members of the defense community. The Armed Forces of the Philippines also hoped Mary’s purity, compassion, and unwavering faith would guide its personnel in protecting the people and securing the state.
