Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) Chairperson and former Supreme Court Associate Justice Andres Reyes Jr. called on Filipinos to practice compassion and patriotism, emphasizing that love for one another and for the nation is key to the country’s progress.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, November 6, Reyes encouraged citizens to help both their fellow Filipinos and the government in any way they can — even through small acts of generosity and service.
“We need to love our country,” he said. “We need to love one another.”
Reyes added, “Kung may extrang pera kayo, tulungan ninyo ang mahihirap. Kung may time kayo, tulungan ninyo ang gobyerno.”
He also urged Filipinos to avoid selfishness and greed, stressing the importance of sharing and simplicity.
“Hindi ‘yong suwapang ka, lahat ng pera [ay] tinatago mo, hindi mo sini-share. We need love. Gusto nating maging suwapang, atin na lahat. Mayroon ka nang tatlong sapatos, ‘di ba tama na ‘yon kesa [hindi] ka magsapatos,” he said.
Reyes further reminded the public to support local products and practice frugality.
“Sometime, we have to realize na hindi naman tayo mayaman na country. So we have to save […] puro tayo bibili ng mga imported na kung ano-ano,” he noted.
He ended his message by emphasizing that without unity and genuine care among Filipinos, the nation cannot move forward.
“We have to love one another and we have to love our country. Kasi kung kuwentuhan tayo nang kuwentuhan, hindi tayo nagmamahal sa ating kapuwa Pilipino, we don’t love our country, wala ring mangyayari sa atin,” Reyes concluded.