Retired Supreme Court Associate Justice and Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) Chair Andres Reyes Jr. called for national solidarity and greater compassion among Filipinos, urging the public to prioritize the collective good over personal luxury.

In a press conference on Thursday, Reyes appealed for a renewed sense of responsibility and shared humanity. “We need to love our country, we need to love our countrymen. We need to love one another,” he said.

“We need love, not being greedy, you hide all the money, hindi no sine-share. We need love,” he added.

Reyes stressed the importance of national austerity, reminding Filipinos that the country does not possess unlimited wealth. “Sometimes we need to realize na hindi naman tayo mayaman na country. So we have to save. The money should be hidden in the bank. Instead of buying imported goods,” he said.

To illustrate the disparity between excess and basic need, Reyes pointed to the contrast between extravagant spending and the realities of poverty.

“We have to understand that there are poor who are content with a pair of shoes not in a beautiful Hermes bag worth US$50,000,” he noted.

Reyes said that fostering empathy and selflessness is essential to progress. “If we continue to tell stories and we do not love our fellow Filipino’s, to our country, nothing will happen to us. I guess that’s one way how to improve our nation,” he said.

The ICI, chaired by Reyes, was created by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to investigate alleged anomalies in flood control projects.