Sen. Marcos Tells Young Leaders: Lead a Life of Integrity, Be Answerable to Followers

Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. today told delegates from various high schools in Quezon province to lead a life with integrity if they want to realize their potential as future leaders.

Marcos aired the advice in his speech before an estimated 1,000 youth leaders taking part in the Young Leaders Convention held at the gymnasium of the Quezon National High School in Lucena City.

The senator lauded the organizers of the event, led by Quezon provincial board member Gerald Ortiz, saying leadership training plays an important role in shaping the skills and the character of future leaders.

“Foremost in the qualities of a leader is integrity. Ethical principles and standards are a must for our leaders,” Marcos said.

While leadership training begins at home and school, Marcos said the Young Leaders Convention is important because it offers a venue for youth leaders to be formally educated in leadership not only as a crucial skill for their future careers but as an important virtue as well.

“I submit that leadership training is important. The sheer potential to influence, to shape minds, to mobilize, is reason enough not to leave leadership to chance,” he added.

Aside from leading a life of integrity, Marcos said a good leader must always keep in mind that he is answerable to his followers.

Marcos reminded the young participants that if a leader fails to do his job well, his followers would lose trust in him and he risks losing his position as a leader.

“In the end, what matters most is that the welfare of the followers or the people being led is protected, preserved and perpetuated,” he stressed.

As an elected leader of this country, Marcos said he always bears in mind the trust given to him not only by the people who voted for him but of the entire Filipino nation.

“The trust of the Filipino people is my guiding light, my guiding star and my moral compass in maintaining integrity and focus as a public servant,” Marcos told the young leaders.

Marcos urged the organizers of the young leaders’ training to sustain its efforts to help the youth become good leaders and to excel in their chosen fields or profession in the future.

A total of 50 schools from the four legislative districts of Quezon province sent delegates to the convention.

Aside from Sen. Marcos, Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez was also one of the guest speakers.

Before leaving Quezon, Marcos paid a courtesy call to Governor David Suarez and his father, former Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez.

senate.gov.ph