MANILA, Philippines — In celebration of Christmas, senators are calling on Filipinos to share happiness and love and to help those who were affected by the pandemic and recent calamities that hit the Philippines.
Senator Nancy Binay said that while 2020 has been a challenging year, “it is heartening to know that there are Filipinos who are always willing and ready to lend a hand and a heart whenever life gets rough.”
“Nawa’y gamitin natin ang pag-asang dala ng kapanganakan ni Kristo at magsilbing ilaw at pag-asa lalung-lalo na sa mga kapatid nating nasalanta ng kalamidad, sakuna at ng pandemya,” Binay said in a statement.
“May we always find hope and joy in celebrating Christmas as we share our hearts full of compassion, and faith. So, let us share happiness and the love in our hearts to lift the spirits and improve the lives of those who have lost their homes, jobs, livelihood, and loved ones,” the senator added.
While the year presented many challenges, Binay said that “all these shall pass as we find love and hope this Christmas and the year ahead.”
Meanwhile, Senator Leila de Lima shared that she continues to wish for her freedom after being detained over drug-related charges.
“I constantly wish for my freedom. This year, after finding the evidence weak and the testimonies against me without credibility as they are mainly perjured, I applied for bail in each of the three cases I’m facing since I was unjustly detained on 24 February 2017. It is my fervent prayer for my ailing mother to still be with us when I finally celebrate my vindication,” De Lima said in a statement.
De Lima said she will celebrate this year’s Christmas under a more restricted environment, with only a few members of her immediate family expected to visit her at the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame due to health protocols being imposed amid the pandemic.
The detained senator likewise wished that every Filipino will be given access to the COVID-19 vaccine.
“Let’s give it to our COVID-19 frontliners, typhoon and disaster responders, and the individuals and groups who reach out to those who need help the most during times of disaster out of generosity and a pure desire to help,” De Lima said.
“Their sacrifices made our sufferings bearable and humane. They gifted us with their love, and some of them with their lives, through their selfless acts of heroism. Let’s honor them and show them how grateful we are,” she added.