Vice President Sara Duterte hopes that the Holy Week will bring healing to Filipinos as the country faces challenges and division.
Vice President Sara Duterte (MB File Photo)
In her message for the Holy Week on Monday, April 14, the country’s second-highest official reminded Filipinos of the sacrifices of Jesus Christ and how these should serve as inspiration during times of trouble and doubt.
“Magsilbi sanang ilaw sa atin ang sakripisyo ni Hesus at patatagin natin ang ating pananampalataya sa mga panahong tayo ay nagiging mahina, nawawalan ng pag-asa, o punong-puno ng pasanin, galit, at mga hangaring laban sa ating kapwa (May the sacrifices of Christ serve as light to strengthen our faith in times of weakness, hopelessness, and when we are burdened by problems, anger, and desires against our fellowmen),” she said.
She further hoped that Filipinos would emulate Christ’s love by teaching and spreading it, and using it to nourishing the community of faith and service to the country and fellowmen.
“Habang dumaranas ang bayan ng matinding pagsubok at lalong lumalalim ang pagkawatak-watak, ang Kuwaresma ay paanyaya para sa panahon ng paghilom, pagbabalik-loob, at pagbabalik-tanaw sa mga pinahahalagahan nating Pilipino: malasakit, pananampalataya, at pagkakaisa (While the country is experiencing challenges and division is deepening, may the Holy Week serve as an invitation for healing, a return to Christ, and reflection on what are important to Filipinos: compassion, faith, and unity),” Duterte said.
“Manalig tayo. Magkaisa tayo. Malalampasan natin ang dilim (Let us have faith. Let us unite. We will overcome the darkness). God save the Philippines,” she added.
Last week, the Vice President had returned to the Philippines from The Hague, where her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, is currently detained while awaiting trial for crimes against humanity of murder before the International Criminal Court (ICC).
She stayed for in the Netherlands for almost a month, so she can form her father’s defense team, but assured that she has stayed in the loop with the programs and projects being implemented by the Office of the Vice President (OVP).