President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to cleanse the bureaucracy of corruption to restore public trust.
‘We will continue cleansing the ranks of government to ensure that every official and every public servant is worthy of the trust given to them by the people,’ Marcos said during the awarding ceremony of the 2025 Metrobank Foundation’s Outstanding Filipinos at Malacañang.
Addressing the question of whether the government can still be trusted, the President pointed to the 10 honorees as living proof of hope and integrity in public service.
‘In their service, you will find your answer. Because of them, we are reminded that hope is never lost, that integrity still lives in our institutions, and that honor still defines what it means to be Filipino,’ President Marcos said.
This year’s 10 Outstanding Filipinos who received the Medallion of Excellence include four teachers: Noel Sadinas, who was honored for turning a dumpsite into a learning space for indigenous students; Amando Perfecto Molin, whose acts of kindness brought inspiration to students across Southeast Asia; Dr. Mylene Uy, who pioneered natural products research in Mindanao; and Dr. Angelo Mark Walag, who championed experiential learning and empowered teachers in underserved schools.
Among the ranks of soldiers, the President awarded Underwater Operationsman First Class Anro Anthony Turallo for his courage that helped reclaim communities from violent extremism; Col. Ricky Canatoy for rebuilding war-torn villages; and Col. Joey Fontiveros for establishing the nation’s first Cyber Battalion.
In the police service, the Chief Executive honored Master Sgt. Ivan Velasco for community-driven programs that unite law enforcement and environmental protection; Maj. Elmira Relox for restoring the dignity of countless women and children through her rescue and reintegration efforts; and Col. Frederick Obar for innovative reforms and digital learning system that have transformed the way the police serve the public.
Marcos called the 10 awardees as the ‘faces of the New Filipino: honest, principled, and wholeheartedly dedicated to serving your fellow Filipinos.’
‘Every honest teacher, soldier, and police officer represents a victory against the corruption and cynicism that plague our nation. You are part of our inspiration to strive to correct the long-standing wrongs in government,’ he added.
Amid the flood control corruption probe he initiated, the President acknowledged that the current challenges faced by the nation have shaken the public’s trust in government institutions.
‘This fight is not easy. There are still many challenges ahead, and we have much to go through,’ Marcos said.
‘It will be hard and sometimes painful, but it will be worth it because what we are fighting for is a country that our children will inherit – a nation that they can be proud of, where they can proudly say, ‘I am Filipino,” he added. /das