Duterte: Easter gives message of hope amidst suffering

By: Cathrine Gonzales - 4 years ago

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte talks to the people after holding a meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) core members at the Malacañang Golf (Malago) Clubhouse in Malacañang Park, Manila on January 13, 2021. ROBINSON NIÑAL/ PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Easter Sunday gives a message of hope amidst the sufferings that the country faces due to the COVID-19 pandemic, President Rodrigo Duterte said.

“Today, we are joined together in the spirit of victory through the Resurrection of Christ. The glory of Easter gives us all a profound message of hope in the midst of suffering and an assurance of triumph over adversity,” Duterte said in his Easter Sunday message.

“May this cornerstone of Christianity guide us as we pursue our shared aspirations for a better and safer future for our people,” he added.

The additional COVID-19 cases in the country have been reaching new daily highs in the recent weeks following the detection of more transmissible SARS-CoV-2 variants, triggering the enforcement of enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila, Cavite, Rizal, Laguna and Bulacan until April 11.

MoreOn Saturday, the country registered 12,576 new cases of infections, bringing the current total active cases to 165,715.

Since the first COVID-19 case in the Philippines in January 2020, the country has so far recorded a total of 784,403 coronavirus cases, including 604,905 recoveries and 13,423 deaths.

But Duterte expressed hope that the “promise of salvation” will inspire the people to face the future with renewed faith.

“As we collectively strive to overcome the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, I trust that the promise of salvation will inspire us to look ahead for new beginnings and move forward with stronger faith and compassion for others,” he said.

EDV