"Bagong Pilipinas is no Trojan Horse."

This was the assurance of President Marcos to the Filipinos as he addressed the negativity brought about by people "poisoned by toxic politics," saying Bagong Pilipinas is not a new partisan coalition but a set of ideals that serve the people.

Marcos said this as he addressed at least 400,000 people who attended the Bagong Pilipinas kick-off rally at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila on Sunday, Jan. 28.

In his speech, the President acknowledged that there are 'selfish" people who think the country is hopeless and are dragging Filipinos down the road where everyone is just thinking for themselves.

"Bagong Pilipinas is not a new partisan coalition in disguise. It is a set of ideals that all us Filipinos, regardless of political creed or religion or wealth, can coalesce around," he said.

"Bagong Pilipinas transcends this administration. To those whose overheated imagination has been poisoned by toxic politics, Bagong Pilipinas is no Trojan Horse. It conceals no agenda," he added.

According to Marcos, there are people who have been working hard to overcome challenges who can prove naysayers wrong. These include the medical practitioners who braved the Covid-19 pandemic, the country's Paralympians who emerged victorious in overseas tilts, and uniformed personnel who risk their lives to keep the country safe and secure.

"Sila ang nagpapawalang bisa sa mga maling haka-haka at paniniwala (They invalidate the wrong perceptions and beliefs)," he said.

"Ang mga nababanggit ko, mga bayani, ang patunay na kahit gaano kahirap ang hadlang, kaya nating umunlad at magwagi (The heroes I mentioned are proof that we can win no matter the obstacles)," he added.

Crisis in confidence

Meanwhile, President Marcos said Filipinos must be confident in their abilities and believe they can overcome challenges.

"We will only succeed if we overcome the crisis of confidence that clipped our wings long before Covid-19 struck," he said.

"We have to begin by restoring faith in ourselves, belief in our strengths, and trust in our institutions. Only then can we have [the] confidence to bravely confront whatever tomorrow brings," he added.

Marcos said Filipinos can take inspiration from the country's modern-day heroes who have been making their mark globally.

"Sa ating mga kapwa Pilipino na mababa ang tingin sa kanilang sarili at kakayahan, ang mga nababanggit kong huwarang Pilipino ang itataas ang ating noo kahit kanino (To our fellow Filipinos who think lowly of themselves and their abilities, the model Filipinos I mentioned will keep our heads high before anybody)," he said.

The Bagong Pilipinas Campaign is the Marcos administration's brand of governance and leadership, "characterized by a principled, accountable, and dependable government reinforced by unified institutions of society."

It encourages Filipinos to set aside differences and unite to build a nation that shapes a more promising future for its citizens.