Sara Duterte encourages reflection, unity this Holy Week

Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday urged Filipinos to draw strength from the values of unity, faith, and the selfless sacrifice of Jesus Christ as they reflect during the Holy Week.

In her Lenten message, Duterte emphasized that Holy Week is a meaningful opportunity for Filipinos to contemplate the passion and death of Jesus Christ, who gave His life to save humanity from sin.

“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,” she said.

“May the sacrifice of Jesus be our guiding light, and may it strengthen our faith in moments when we feel weak, hopeless, or burdened with anger and desires that harm others,” she added.

Duterte also encouraged the public to emulate Christ’s love, “Tularan sana natin ang pagmamahal ni Hesus sa atin, ituro ito, palaganapin ito, at gamitin ito sa ating pagsusulong at pagpapalakas ng mga komunidad na nananampalataya, nagsisilbi sa kapwa at sa bayan.”

“Manalig tayo. Magkaisa tayo. Malalampasan natin ang dilim,” she emphasized.

Prior to Holy Week, Duterte returned to the Philippines after spending nearly a month in the Netherlands, where she visited her detained father, former president Rodrigo Duterte.

The former president is currently in custody while awaiting trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC), where he faces charges of crimes against humanity related to his administration’s war on drugs.