President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. called on elected officials to prioritize the core values of public service as campaigning for this year’s midterm elections intensifies.

Despite heated arguments among candidates, the President said the focus of public service should remain on assisting Filipinos.

“Huwag nating kakalimutan na tayo ay nandito, tayo ay pumasok sa serbisyo ng publiko upang tulungan ang taong-bayan,” President Marcos said at the 2025 League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) General Assembly ay the Manila Hotel.

The President said the election is a crucial part of democracy and a means to restore the public service mandate.

“That is the process of democracy. Kailangan natin dumaan sa eleksyon. Kailangan natin makuha ulit ang mandato ng tao upang tayo ay magawa natin ang ating trabaho,” he told the LMP delegates.

The President also recalled his local government experience, saying that the barangay election is the most intense because it involved personal connections.

“Alam naman natin, at ako sa karanasan ko, ang pinakamainit na eleksyon ay nilalaban sa local government. As a matter of fact, palagay ko siguro mag-agree kayo sa akin mga mayor kayo nakikita ninyo ito, ang pinakamainit na eleksyon ay barangay,” he said.

The President stressed the importance of rekindling connections after the election to ensure collaboration toward a common goal.

“Pagkatapos ng halalan…alam ko kung minsan ay napakahirap na magpalamig ng ulo ulit ngunit kailangan natin gawin ‘yun dahil kailangan natin ng lahat ng mga gustong tumulong na magkapit-bisig upang magtulungan,” he said. | PND