Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda and Senators Nancy Binay and Risa Hontiveros. PRIB PHOTOS/ INQUIRER FILES
MANILA, Philippines — This Christmas, senators prayed for love, happiness, hope, and peace of mind amid the threat of illnesses and the challenges that Filipinos are facing.
In separate statements on Saturday, Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda and Senators Nancy Binay and Jinggoy Estrada shared their Christmas wishes for Filipinos. Senator Risa Hontiveros, meanwhile, released her greeting in a video message on Friday.
Legarda urged Filipinos to “remember God’s unfailing love for us.”
“Let’s express gratitude for the blessings we have received this year and reflect on the experiences that made us wiser,” she said. “I pray for everyone’s good health, happiness, love, and peace of mind. Let us continue to serve our people with passion and purpose.”
Binay, meanwhile, encouraged Filipinos to celebrate Christmas despite the threat of diseases.
“Many of us have been feeling the pinch, and the pain, and perhaps do not see a reason to celebrate Christmas,” she said.
“Yet time and time again, we are reminded that so much love and hope remain, and we see people continue to share what they have –time, resources, compassion– to help their brethren who are struggling to cope with our present reality,” she added.
For Hontiveros, if there is one message of Christmas, it is “hope.”
“Pinapaalala sa atin na ang kapanganakan ni Hesus ay isa ring pagtaya, isang pagtitiwala na sa kabila ng lahat pagkatapos ng unos, ang mundo ay magliliwanag,” she said in a video message on Friday.
(We are reminded that Jesus’ birth is a reckoning that despite negativities, the world will light up.)
“Kaya makakaasa po kayo na sa Senado, panghahawakan natin ang liwanag na ‘yan,” the senator went on.
(You can expect that in the Senate, we will hold onto that light.)
The opposition lawmaker said that she will continue to push for programs and policies that will improve the economy, generate decent jobs, boost livelihoods of small business owners, and increase salaries of each Filipino.
Sen. Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada (Bibo Nueva España/Senate PRIB)
Senator Jinggoy Estrada, on the other hand, pushed people to be “thankful” for being able to celebrate the holiday season with family and friends. He also expressed appreciation to his fellow public servants.
“Let the good tiding of our Savior’s birth move us into collectively renewing our community and remind us to be thankful that we can once again celebrate the Yuletide with family and friends,” he said.
“To my fellow public servants, thank you for your courage and strength, for caring about our community, and for all your work in keeping everyone safe over the past three years. You are deserving of our deep gratitude,” he continued.
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