President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday called on Filipinos to unite in the face of death and destruction left by the spate of typhoons in the country.
“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,” President Marcos said in his speech during the 49th Philippine National Prayer Breakfast (PNPB) at Heroes Hall, Malacañan Palace.
The event was attended by leaders from various sectors of society, including former Chief Justice Reynato Puno and Church representatives.
President Marcos expressed both gratitude and purpose in joining the PNPB, emphasizing the importance of unity and faith.
“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 and what is righteous,” the President said.
The President highlighted the PNPB as a cornerstone of national reflection, providing an opportunity for leaders to set aside titles and agenda to come together as equals in prayer.
“The world and our country are facing so much divisiveness—beliefs, politics, and even generational 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,” he said.
The PNPB aims to inspire leaders to embrace prayer, reflect on God’s Word, and lead with integrity, which the President said is a reminder that leadership demands accountability to a higher standard.
“Let us ensure that in every decision, in every action, the spirit of love, mercy, and humility is present,” President Marcos said.
President Marcos encouraged future leaders to let faith be a guiding beacon, providing courage in times of doubt and tempering ambition with a sense of purpose greater than oneself.
“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 gains, and harmony over discord,” the President said.
He also called on leaders to recommit themselves to service imbued with faith and prayerful discernment.
“Let us renew our pledge to seek divine wisdom, to build bridges where there are divides, and to lead with conviction that our nation’s best days are ahead of us.”
With God’s grace, the President expressed hope for a Bagong Pilipinas of peace – a new Philippines characterized by peace, unity, and lasting prosperity.
The President said the gathering came at a critical moment, as Filipinos have faced successive challenges since October 21, starting with Severe Tropical Storm Kristine hitting the country. The situation continued with Typhoon Pepito.
The President said the PNPB serves as a reminder that leadership without faith is like a ship without a compass – “it may sail, but it will drift.”
True leadership, the President said, is transformative and guided by wisdom rooted in faith.
“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,” he said.
For nearly half a century, the PNPB has stood as a testament to the power of faith— a force that transcends boundaries, binds people in hope, and serves as both compass and anchor in 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 who we are,” President Marcos said. (PND)
