On Good Friday, Vice President Sara Duterte expressed hopes that the Lenten season would guide Catholic faithful to set aside differences and uphold solidarity in building a just and humane society.
"These recent years, our strong faith as a nation has allowed us to display resiliency despite the global crises affecting our nation and the challenges in our personal and professional lives," Duterte said in a video message on April 7.
"Let the way of the Cross guide us in upholding solidarity, setting aside our differences to build a just and humane society, and fostering equitable governance that will ease the plight of our kababayans (fellowmen)," she added.
The Vice President said the Lenten season is a time when the "entire Christian community unites in the solemn observance of our deep faith founded on Christ’s blood-brought sacrifice at the cross."
She, therefore, enjoined the faithful to use their faith in fighting local communism, corruption, criminality, and the proliferation of illegal drugs.
Duterte also expressed hopes that the Lenten season would inspire Filipinos to unite for a peaceful and progressive Philippines.
"Sa ating pananalangin, pasasalamat at pananampalataya, nawa'y ipakita natin ang walang hanggang pag-asa ng ating pananampalatayang Kristiyano kasabay ng determinasyong mangampanya laban sa lokal na komunismo, katiwalian, kriminalidad, at ilegal na droga na nagbabanta sa ating mga demokratikong mithiin at sumisira sa buhay ng marami (I our prayers, thanksgiving and faith, may you show our endless hope in our Christian faith while we show determination in the campaign against local communism, corruption, criminality, and illegal drugs that threatens our democratic goal and the lives of many)," Duterte said.
Ako ay umaasa, na ang diwa ng Kuwaresma at muling pagkabuhay ni Hesus ay magbibigay-inspirasyon sa mga Pilipino na magsama-sama at makibahagi sa pagbuong muli ng ating bansa--isang Pilipinas na mapayapa, matatag, inklusibo at progresibo para sa ikabubuti ng bawat mamamayan (I am hoping that the spirit of Lent and the resurrection of Jesus would bring inspiration to Filipinos to unite and join in building a peaceful, strong, inclusive, and progressive Philippines for the benefit of every Filipino)," Duterte added.
