MANILA, Philippines — President RodrigoDuterte on Christmas eve urged Filipinos to draw hope from Christ’s birth as the country faces the COVID-19 pandemic.
In his Christmas message, Duterte, criticized for his crass language and for having called God “stupid,” said Filipinos continue to survive and rise through the pandemic and string of natural calamities because of “unity, strength, and indomitable spirit.”
“This Christmas season, let the story of Jesus Christ’s birth remind us that we should always have hope even in darkness, poverty, and suffering,” Duterte said.
“Let us also allow Christ into our lives so that we could bring love and cheer not only to our families and fr…
Keep on reading: Hope even in darkness, poverty and suffering, Duterte tells Filipinos