Amid rising fuel prices, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called out those exploiting the energy shortage through theft and hoarding, urging the public instead to draw on the Filipino tradition of communal solidarity.
Speaking in his BBM Vlog 280, titled “Bayanihan,” Marcos said the current crisis is precisely the kind of moment that should bring out the best in Filipinos — not the worst.
“Sa panahon ng kagipitan, dapat ay mangibabaw ang ating pakikipagkapwa-tao. Ito ang kabayanihan na maaari nating ipakita ngayon,” the President said.
He watched footage during the vlog of a motorist who drove off from a gas station without paying, and a separate incident showing fuel being illegally transferred from a tanker into a storage tank inside a residential compound.
“Nakakalungkot naman masyadong makakita ng lahat ito. Bagama’t naintindihan natin ang kalagayan ng bawat isa. Hindi ito nagpapahintulot sa atin na gumawa ng mga ganitong bagay,” Marcos said.
The President drew a sharp line on who is permitted to stockpile fuel, saying only those with documented operational requirements — such as fisherfolk, marine equipment operators, hospitals, and generator-set users — are allowed to maintain fuel reserves.
“At yung may mga kaya, huwag kayong mag-hoard ng diesel. Ang tanging pinapayagan lamang na magtabi sa drop ng gasolina ay ang mga consumer na may legitimate operational requirement dito. Gaya ng mga mangingisda at marine equipment operator, mga hospital, at iba pang mga gumagamit ng generator set,” he said.
Marcos framed the incidents of self-interest as a departure from Filipino character, adding a caution against endangering neighbors in the process.
“Huwag ninyo ring ilalagay sa panganib ang mga kapitbahay ninyo. Sa paghahanap natin ng ginhawa, huwag naman sana tayong manlamang sa kapwa. Hindi ganyan ang Pilipino,” the President said.
He also invoked the recent observance of Araw ng Kagitingan, drawing a parallel between the wartime sacrifice of Filipinos in Bataan and the collective resilience he said the moment now demands.
“Ito ang panahon para ipakita at isabuhay ang inyong pagka-Pilipino. Noong isang araw ay pinagdiwang natin ang Araw ng Kagitingan bilang pag-alala sa katapangan at sakripisyo ng mga Pilipino na lumaban noong Ikalawang Digmaang Pandaigdig sa Bataan,” he said.
Marcos gave particular recognition to individuals and communities quietly helping others through pantries and feeding programs, making a point of noting those who do so without seeking attention on social media.
“Marami ring iba dyan ay hindi nagpo-post sa social media. Tumutulong na lang. Maraming maraming salamat sa iyo. Ganyan ang Filipino. Gusto ko kayong saluduhan at pasalamatan,” he said.
The President acknowledged the government’s continuing efforts to reduce the burden of the energy crisis on ordinary Filipinos, but said official action alone would not be enough.
“Pero hindi ito magiging sapat kung wala ang tulong ng bawat isa, kung wala ang kawanggawa ng bawat isa, kung wala ang panalangin at positibong pag-iisip ng bawat isa. Ipakita ninyo ang inyong pagka-Pinoy sa panahon na ito. Magtulong-tulong tayo,” Marcos said.
