Vice President Sara Duterte on Good Friday expressed her hope that the Lenten season would inspire Catholic believers to work towards building a just and humane society, setting aside their differences and upholding solidarity.
"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," she said.
She emphasized that the strong faith of the Filipino nation has enabled them to remain resilient.
"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," she added.
The Vice President also encouraged the faithful to use their faith in the fight against local communism, corruption, criminality, and the proliferation of illegal drugs.
"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," Duterte continued.
She called on them to demonstrate their endless hope in the Christian faith while showing determination in the campaign against the aforementioned threats to democracy and the lives of many.
Duterte also expressed her hope that the Lenten season would inspire Filipinos to unite for the betterment of the country, and to build a peaceful, strong, inclusive, and progressive Philippines for the benefit of every citizen.
She believes that this is a time when the entire Christian community unites in the solemn observance of their faith founded on Christ's sacrifice at the cross.
"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," the vice president added.
