Amid Middle East conflict, Marcos calls for 'courage' in Day of Valor message

President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Thursday reaffirmed the government's commitment to exhaust "all measures" to help ease the burden of the public in the midst of the tension in the Middle East.

Marcos made the remark during the commemoration of the 84th anniversary of the Araw ng Kagitingan at the Mt. Samat National Shrine in Pilar, Bataan. 

''Today’s challenges may not mirror those of yesterday, but they test us in much the same way. Among these is the enduring geopolitical tension that we are observing in the Middle East,'' Marcos said.

''While we may stand far from the centers of conflict, we are not untouched by its consequences. Fuel prices weigh heavily on Filipino families, those who already have the least having been subjected the most to this scourge,'' he added.

Marcos said, ''In moments like these, the government will do everything that is possible to cushion the impact and safeguard the welfare of our people.'' 

Marcos also called for solidarity among Filipinos amid these challenging times, noting that each person must acknowledge one's needs.

''Sa panahon ng matitinding pagsubok, tulad ng nangyayari ngayon, kailangan nating balikan ang isang mahalagang bahagi ng katangian ng bilang Pilipino—ang pakikipagkapwa. Dapat nating kilalanin na ang bawat isa ay may parehong pangangailangan, may parehong pangarap, at may parehong pinagdaraanan,'' Marcos said. 

(In these challenging times, let's remember one distinct Filipino trait, which is solidarity. Let us acknowledge that each one of us has his/her own needs and dreams.) 

Collective responsibility, courage

The President also said that governance is only a part of the equation as nation-building has always been a shared responsibility. 

''But for this collective responsibility to succeed, it must be grounded in integrity, in courage, and in love for country,'' Marcos said.

Earlier, Marcos said the Philippines would take advantage of the two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran to secure as much as possible the country's petroleum supply.

The US and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire agreement, which included, among others, the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, where 20% of the world's oil supply passes through.

Marcos hoped that this ceasefire would bring down oil prices since the global market would be more open. —VAL, GMA News