Despite the many challenges, senators remained hopeful that the New Year would bring in a better life, a peaceful and united country for every Filipino.
Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, president of the Liberal Party (LP), noted the many “unexpected” things that happened this year, specially in politics.
“Ang ni hindi ko inakalang mangyayari kailanman pagkatapos nating patalsikin ang isang diktador noong EDSA People Power ay nangyari,” Pangilinan said in a statement on Saturday.
(What I never imagined would take place after the ouster of a dictator during the EDSA People Power revolution happened.)
The senator was apparently referring to the burial of the late dictator, Ferdinand Marcos, at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.
READ: Marcos laid to rest in ‘sneaky’ rites at Libingan ng mga Bayani
“Tinuro sa akin ng pagsasaka na lahat ay umaayon sa panahon. Minsan talaga babagyuhin ka, dadapa ka, susubukan ang iyong tatag, pero magtatanim at magtatanim ka pa rin kasi iyon ang trabaho mo,” said Pangilinan, who chairs the Senate committee on agriculture.
(What farming taught me is that everything has its season. There would be times when you have to face a storm, you would be tested, but you keep on planting because that is your job.)
“Sa darating na 2017, magtanim tayo, hindi ng sama ng loob, kundi ng kabutihang loob na dulot ng pag-asa at pagmamahalan,” he added.
(This coming 2017, let us plant, not grudges, but kindness rooted in hope and love.)
Senator Leila de Lima, who is an LP member, also shared Pangilinan’s optimism.
“Gaano man kabigat ang mga pagsubok sa buhay, gaano man kadilim ang kabanatang bumabalot ngayon sa ating bayan, nananalig akong darating din ang liwanag,” De Lima said in a separate statement.
(No matter the weight of life’s trials, no matter the darkness our country is shrouded in, I am hopeful that we will see the light.)
“Sa pagsapit ng Bagong Taon, naniniwala ako sa higit pang pagmamalasakit ng Pilipino sa kapwa Pilipino at sa pagrespeto sa karapatang pantao. Sa gabay ng Panginoon, nawa’y magkaisa tayo tungo sa tunay na mapayapa at makatarungang bansa,” she said.
(As the New Year comes, I believe in greater compassion of Filipinos for one another and in respect for human rights. With the guidance of the Lord, let us unite toward a peaceful and just country.)
Pangilinan and De Lima are part of the majority bloc in the Senate but they have been vocal against the reported rising cases of killings in the country since President Rodrigo Duterte’s assumption in office.
Senator Nancy Binay also hopes for a “stronger and more united Philippines” in the coming year.
“As we leave 2016 behind, we also leave the hurts and the challenges that we have endured, and usher in the positive thought that 2017 will be a better year for us Filipinos and our country,” Binay said in another statement.
“Tiwala at positibo ako, sa ating pagkakapit-bisig at sama-samang pagkilos, na makakamit natin ang hustisya at kasaganaang matagal na nating ninanais,” she said.
(I trust and am positive that in our united effort, we will achieve the justice and prosperity we have been longing for.)
Binay said she also prays that the people would continue to be blessed with peace in their hearts “so that we can understand, respect, and forgive one another, regardless of race, color and ideology so that we can forge a stronger and more united Philippines.” CDG