Duterte: Let’s find hope and courage in Christmas amid pandemic

On eve of Christmas, President Rodrigo Duterte exhorted the nation to find hope and courage in the season to overcome the challenges brought by COVID-19 pandemic that tested the limits of the Filipinos.

“I wish all the Filipino Christians all around the world a blessed and meaningful Christmas.  May the light that this season brings fill us with hope and courage as we continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said in a message aired on Christmas eve.

Despite problems confronting the nation, Duterte said he hopes the Yuletide celebration will inspire the people to realize their dreams and aspirations for their families and the country.

“We have been blessed much with the birth of Christ, let us share this blessing with others,” he said.

Duterte earlier said he will continue to work during Christmas to oversee relief operations in areas affected by Typhoon Odette last week. 

The typhoon flattened some communities in the Visayas and Mindanao, leaving people without homes, food, water and electricity.

Duterte pledged to raise funds for the relief and rehabilitation of the devastated areas.—LDF, GMA News