Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 16) — President Rodrigo Duterte’s Easter message was short and meaningful, asking Filipinos to come together to fight drugs, criminality, and corruption.
The message released on Saturday evening said the resurrection of Christ should serve as inspiration “to achieve our collective aspirations through our unwavering devotion.”
Duterte added, “May this occasion be a reminder to Filipinos that our country deserves salvation from drugs, criminality and corruption that have long plagued this nation and that our people will rise and triumph over society’s ills.”
Read the President’s Easter message in full:
I join the rest of the Christian world as we celebrate the fulfillment of Resurrection three days after the passion and death of Jesus Christ on the Cross.
The story of the Risen Christ on Easter Sunday is a message of perseverance and faith and the grief of Black Saturday. Christ’s Resurrection should inspire us to achieve our collective aspirations through unwavering devotion.
May this occasion be a reminder to Filipinos that our country deserves salvation from drugs, criminality and corruption that have long plagued this nation and that our people will rise and triumph over society’s ills.
Let the promise of Easter be our guide as we build a progressive, inclusive and independent nation – where government and people work together to attain peace, justice, safety and security for all.
Isang maligayang Pasko ng Pagkabuhay sa lahat ng ating mga kababayan!
[Translation: A joyful Easter to all our countrymen!]
