Respect the institution which is the expression of your sovereign. will. The government is your government. It has been established for your safety and welfare. Obey the laws and see that they are observed by all and that public officials comply with their duties.

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Part of Code of ethics submitted to the president of the Philippines

Title: Respect the institution which is the expression of your sovereign. will. The government is your government. It has been established for your safety and welfare. Obey the laws and see that they are observed by all and that public officials comply with their duties.
Language: English
Source: Code of Ethics submitted to the President of the Philippines
Year: 1940
Rights
Fulltext: Marcelo H. del Pilar, indomitable champion Pearl of the orient ·seas, our Ellen lost! of Filipino liberties, who succeeded Lopez- Gladly now I go to give thee this faded Jaena as editor of the La Solidaridad, was life's best, forced to flee fr~m the country because ' of And were it brighter, fresher, or more religious and political persecution. He suf- blest, fered untold privations and died of sfarva·- Still would I give it thee, nor count tion in Spain where he continued the fight the cost." for reforms. In the hour of his death, his Love of country is best exemplified by the last consuming thought was the freedom of self-sacrifice of Marcelo H. de! Pilar, the his country. His dying message to his com- undaunted courage of General Gregorio del patriots was: "Go ahead with the work and Pila1·, and the sublime self-immolation of Dr. seek the happiness and liberty of our dear Jose Rizal. country". Service to the country is our inescapable General Gregorio de! Pilar's valiant de- obligation "and in the fulfillment of this duty fense of Tirad Pass is another example of all citizens may be required by law to render heroism and love of country. : B~Fely out of pe1"Sonal military or civil service." (Seetion 2, his teens, he had already distinguished him- Article II, Philippine Constitution.) self for valor and daring on the field of bat- We are · engaged in the task of nation. tle. Called upon to defend Tirad Pass with building. For this purpose we must be united. · a handful of ill-equipped soldiers, he wrote , As :Rizal said, ;"The isolated drib of the in his diary on the fate:(ul mo\·ning of De- Jn<ri palm is easily broken, but not so the cember 2, 1899: "I understand that the task ·broom made of the ribs of the palm bound given me is a difficult one. And yet, I feel together." We have one flag, one land, one that this is the most glorious moment of my heart, one purpose, one nation ever and forlife. I do it all ·for my beloved country. No ever. sacrifice can be greater." Only eight of his brave band of sixty m;n survived, and General Del Pilar perished with the i·est of his command, but the advance of the American troops was delayed. And in recognition of his bravery and heroism, he was buried with full military honors by the Americans near the spot where he had' made his last stand. The . following valedictory was also found in . his diary: "I submit to the terrible fate that overwhelms me and my brave men; but I am glad to die fighting' for my dear country." When Rizal returned to the Philippines in 1892, he knew that his life was in danger and his letter of farewell to his country. men, writteIJ. at Hongkong on June 20, 1892, which he asked to be published after his death, i• s an edifying example of self-effacement. He said: "Besides, I wish to show those who deri°y us patriotism that we know how to die for <luty and principle. What ,;,atters death, if one dies for what one loves, for native land and those dear to one? ... Always have I loved our unhappy land, and I am sure l shall continue loving it until my last, moment, in case men should pl-ove unju1 st to me. Life, career, happiness, I am ready to s~crifice for it. Whatever be my fate, I shall die blessing it and longing ' for the dawn of its i·edemption." And on the eve of his execution, he wrote his last Farewell which begins thus: "Farewell, dear Fatherland, clime of the sun caress'd. III RE S P E C T THE CONSTITUTION WHICH IS THE EXPRESSION OF YOUR SOVEREIGN , W,ILL. THE GOVERNMENT IS YOUR GOVERNMEN.T. IT HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED FOR YOUR SAFETY AND WELFARE. OBEY THE LAWS AND SEE THAT THEY. ARE OBSERVED BY ALL AND THAT PUBLIC OFFICIALS COMPLY WITH THEIR DUTIES. The Constitution is the expression of the •sovereignty of the people. Its primordial aim 1 is the welfare of all. "The welfare of the people," in the fiery language of Andres E'Dnif acio, "is the sole purpose of all the governments on earth, The people is all: blood and life, wealth and strength, afl is the people." Reveren~e for law as the expression of the popular will is the starting point in a democracy. According to Bonifacio, "He who obeys the power conferred by the people obeys the people and iden~ifies himself with the will of all the citizens that compose. the peqple, which identification or accord is n~-cessary for the very life of the people." The foundation stone of all governments is law and order. Without them it would be impossible to promote education, impTove PAGE 6 THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT REVIEW SUPPLEMENT
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