By Jelly Musico/PNA
MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday urged the Filipino people to be guided with ideas of compassion and reconciliation as he wished them a “meaningful” Christmas.
“To my countrymen, my sincerest and most heartfelt greetings to all Filipinos, both here and abroad, as we celebrate Christmas,” Duterte said in his Christmas message aired over government-run People’s Television (PTV).
“Once again, it is the time of the year where we honor, gather our families and friends to celebrate the nativity of Jesus, share life’s many blessings and demonstrate our love and gratitude for each other,” he added.
Duterte urged the Filipinos to use “this joyous occasion” to contemplate on the worth of the lessons that “we can learn from the narrative of Christ’s birth.”
“Let the ideas of compassion, kindness, and reconciliation guide us as we embrace our countrymen in the spirit of shared humanity,” the President said.
“Together let us bring hope and peace in our nation this Yuletide season as we welcome the coming year with much hope and optimism,” he added. “I wish everyone a happy and meaningful Christmas.”
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Duterte will spend the holidays with his family in Davao City just as he did in previous years.
Panelo said the President will also take the opportunity to again visit the handicapped, particularly special children and those with cancer.
“Doon mo makikita iyong kanyang compassion (You can see his compassion through this). He sheds tears every time,” Panelo said.
