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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider VP Sara's Christmas wish: Good health for Filipinos, a better nation in 2026

VP Sara's Christmas wish: Good health for Filipinos, a better nation in 2026

Published Dec 13, 2025 10:35 am  |  Updated Dec 13, 2025 01:04 pm
Vice President Sara Duterte delivers a message to Filipino supporters of her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, in The Hague (Screengrab from Alvin & Tourism Facebook page)
Vice President Sara Duterte delivers a message to Filipino supporters of her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, in The Hague (Screengrab from Alvin & Tourism Facebook page)
Vice President Sara Duterte has two wishes this Christmas season: the first is for everyone’s good health and the second is for a better Philippines in 2026.
The official spoke with some members of the Filipino community in a gathering to mark former president Rodrigo Duterte’s ninth month in detention at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands.
“Always, every day of your lives, particularly for the year 2026. And that's what I always say again and again, something that money can't buy, good health. It is something that is very precious to everyone and I hope that you will always be in good health. In fact, (former) president Duterte is worried about you,” she told Filipinos in a mix of English and Filipino there.
“But we should always pray to God that it will happen for our country, a better 2026 for the Philippines. Earlier, our prayers are for (ex-) president Rodrigo Duterte. I think we should also pray for us and pray for our country that it will become peaceful and prosperous soon,” she added.
Duterte thanked her family’s supporters for making time to pray for her father, saying that her whole family is grateful for all the “efforts” and “passion” that their supporters show.
She shared her wish that their supporters could spend the traditional Noche Buena with their families, and for them to have “a joyful Christmas” either online with their families or if they could return home for the season.
The Vice President also sought prayers for fellow Filipinos, for the dead, the dying, and the sick.
“May they be granted blessings just like how God gives us blessings every day. And finally, from (former) president Duterte, he had a message earlier. He said, for all of you, we are here—him, me, and our other family members are here as long as people want us to be here,” she said.
Duterte expressed gratitude for the continued support that their family receives, calling herself lucky for always having their supporters behind her.
“Alam niyo (You know) I am truly blessed as a politician kasi kahit anong paninira ng mga kalaban sa akin, nandiyan pa rin yung taong bayan (because you are still here no matter how much they malign my name),” she said.
“The supporters, from 2015, from 2016, from 2019, from 2020, nandiyan pa rin kayo (you are still there). And then you know how to discern ano yung paninira at ano yung katotohanan (what’s fake and what’s the truth). And for that, I am truly blessed,” she added.

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