On Easter Sunday, Duterte urges Filipinos to 'rekindle commitment in nation-building'

President Rodrigo Duterte is urging Filipinos to view the resurrection of Christ being celebrated on Sunday as a time to "rekindle our shared commitment in nation-building," particularly in the practice of the elections next month.

In his Easter message, Duterte greeted Filipinos in celebrating "this triumphant day of Christ's resurrection" as he encouraged them to "always choose what is good and uplifting."

"I trust that this season of Easter will be a blessed time for us to rekindle our shared commitment in nation-building, especially in the upcoming midterm elections," Duterte said.

"May it become an exercise of integrity and reflect the true will of the people. It is my hope that the evil caused by the societal ills we are confronting today will be swept away by our strong faith in the Almighty," he added.

President Duterte on Easter: May this time of new beginnings inspire us to always choose what is good and uplifting. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/vylEUUeTnV

— Virgil Lopez (@virgillopez) April 21, 2019

At the same time, Duterte also wishes that the Easter will be a reminder for all Filipinos to help usher peace in their respective families and communities.

"Let us strive to be instruments of peace in our families and communities and foster greater harmony and understanding wherever and whenever it is most needed," he said.

On Good Friday, Duterte also urged Filipinos to strive in upholding what is "good and just" during the Lenten season.

The President, however, has in the past issued statements against the Catholic faith, in which he called God "stupid" and seemingly told bystanders to rob and kill rich bishops.

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo, however, said Duterte was not attacking the Church, but "criticizing certain immoral acts" of some of its members. —Erwin Colcol/KG, GMA News