Former House Speaker Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez enjoined his fellow Filipinos on Palm Sunday, March 29 to use Holy week as a time for "prayer and reflection".

"Ang Semana Santa ay panahon ng panalangin at pagninilay. Panahon ito ng pag-alala sa dakilang pag-ibig ng Diyos—isang pag-ibig na nagligtas sa atin, nagbigay ng pag-asa, at patuloy na umaakay sa atin pabalik sa Kanya," Romualdez said in statement.

(Holy Week is a time for prayer and reflection. It is a time to remember the great love of God—a love that saved us, gave us hope, and continues to guide us back to Him.)

"Sa bawat sandali ng katahimikan, ipinapaalala sa atin na hindi tayo nag-iisa, na may Diyos na patuloy na kumikilos sa ating buhay," said the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) president.

(In every moment of silence, we are reminded that we are not alone, that there is a God who continues to work in our lives.)

Alluding to the challenges being faced by the nation, Romualdez said: "Nawa’y magsilbing paanyaya ang mga araw na ito upang tayo ay huminto, magnilay, at magbalik-loob. Panahon ito upang suriin ang ating mga puso, ang ating mga pagkukulang, at ang mga pagkakataong tayo ay nagkulang sa pagmamahal."

(May these days serve as an invitation for us to pause, reflect, and return to Him. It is a time to examine our hearts, our shortcomings, and the times we have failed to love.)

He expressed hope that in the quiet of prayer, Filipino may find "the strength to go on, the courage to forgive, and hearts ready to love again, especially in the moments when it is hardest to do so".

The two-time former Speaker also hoped that Holy Week would become "a time of healing—not only for ourselves, but for our families, our society, and our nation".

"Sa gitna ng mga sugat na dulot ng pagkakahati-hati, kawalan ng tiwala, at mga pagsubok na ating dinaranas, nawa’y magsilbi itong pagkakataon upang muling buuin ang ugnayan at pagkakaisa," Romualdez said.

(Amid wounds caused by division, mistrust, and trials we endure, may it be an opportunity to rebuild relationships and unity.)

"At sa muling pagkabuhay ni Kristo, nawa’y muling mabuhay sa atin ang pag-asa, pananampalataya, at malasakit sa isa’t isa, upang sama-sama nating tahakin ang landas tungo sa mas maayos at makataong kinabukasan," he further said.

(And in Christ’s resurrection, may hope, faith, and compassion for one another be reborn in us, so that together we may walk the path toward a better and more humane future.)