President Diosdado P. Macapagal bequeathed many precious legacies to his countrymen.

Foremost of these legacies was his unsullied reputation, integrity, and selflessness. He was man of honor and he could proudly claim that he did not enrich himself in office. He deserved to be called “The Incorruptible.”

He led by example and he challenged all public officials to lead by example. Through his Moral Regeneration Program, he sought to awaken the Filipino people to return to the fundamental values, e.g., honesty, selflessness, self-discipline, industry – that are the foundations of a strong nation.

President Macapagal believed that national progress could be attained only with the moral regeneration of the public officials.

President Macapagal’s decision to make June 12, 1898, the official date for the celebration of Philippine Independence Day and his official use of Filipino as the national language assured his place in Philippine history.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) traces its origins to Maphilindo (Malaysia Philippines-Indonesia), a brainchild of President Macapagal.

The many pieces of social legislations he promoted, e.g., Rural Bank Law, the Rural Health Law, the National Cottage Industry Administration, and the Land Reform Program showed his deep concern for the well-being of the poor and underprivileged.

As we celebrate the 99th Birth Anniversary of President Diosdado P. Macapagal, we hope that our country’s officialdom will be reminded that public office is a public trust and that, as government officials, they should never betray that trust.