Former Supreme Court (SC) Chief Justice Reynato Puno said on Saturday that the incoming Aquino leadership should show selflessness, patriotism, and love of country which, he said, were well exemplified by national hero Dr. Jose Rizal for the nation to progress.

At the wreath-laying ceremony before the monument of the hero and induction of members of the Order of the Knights of Rizal (OKR) at the Rizal Park on the occasion of Rizal’s 1 49th birth anniversary, Puno said that Aquino and his administration should emulate Rizal for the sake of political renewal and moral reform.

“Selflessness, patriotism, love of country, those were well exemplified by Rizal. The political renewal and the moral reform we have long to have will be realized only if our elected officials, as well as the whole nation, have those traits,” he stressed.

But the lessons shown by Rizal's life story, according to Puno, should be emulated not only by those people in politics, but by every Filipino.

Puno said that a Filipino can be a great achiever in all human endeavors if only the people would emulate Rizal's virtues and principles.

“Like Rizal, we can go beyond the barriers that hinder us to progress by having a clear sight or a vision that is backed by our strengthened values,” he added.

Asked if he will be taking part in any government positions under the Aquino Administration, the former Chief Justice said that he had already “graduated from being a public official,” but “will continue to serve his countrymen as a normal citizen.”

“I don't want any position (under the Aquino administration). I may not be a public official anymore, but I will always be serving the people as a normal citizen,” he maintained.

Should the President-elect ask for his help, Puno said that Aquino can always ask for his advice.