Speaker Dy urges House members to unite, bring hope amid Christmas season

As December begins, House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III on Monday called on all congressmen to unite, set aside personal interests, and bring hope to the public.

“Ngayong papalapit ang Pasko—hinihikayat ko kayong lahat: Magpakatatag. Maging liwanag. Maging tulay ng pagkakasundo. Maging dahilan ng pag-asa,” he said during the flag raising ceremony at the House of Representatives.

(Now that Christmas is approaching—I encourage all of you: Be steadfast. Be a light. Be a bridge of reconciliation. Be a reason for hope.)

He said that in the middle of the “darkness of chaos, doubt, and misinformation” was the time to show conviction. The Speaker also urged lawmakers not to be affected by what they see on social media. 

“Hinihikayat ko kayo: huwag nating hayaang maapektuhan tayo ng mga naririnig o nababasa sa social media. Kayang-kaya nating baguhin ang imahe ng institusyong ito sa pamamagitan ng tapat, masipag, at makabuluhang paglilingkod,” he said.

(I encourage you: let us not allow ourselves to be affected by what we hear or read on social media. We are fully capable of changing the image of this institution through honest, diligent, and meaningful public service.)

The Philippines is currently embroiled in a corruption scandal amid ongoing investigations into anomalous and ghost flood control projects that have implicated several House members, senators, and other officials. 

Dy assured employees that there will come a time when they will not be ashamed to say that they are part of Congress.

“Hindi na magtatagal ang bawat isa sa inyo ay makakapaglakad ng taas-noo, dahil kabahagi kayo, at tayong lahat, sa pagbabagong ating sama-samang isinusulong,” he said.

(It will not be long before each one of you will be able to walk with head up high because you are part, all of us, of the changes that we push forward.)

“Hindi tayo titigil hanggang hindi natin maabot ang mataas na kalidad ng ating serbisyo at makabigay tayo ng dignidad sa ating institusyon,” he added.

(We will not stop until we reach the high standard of service and we give dignity to our institution.) —Joahna Lei Casilao/AOL, GMA Integrated News