President Duterte 'fervently prays' for a better year in the Year of the Tiger; VP Robredo says there's always hope
President Rodrigo Duterte on Feb. 1 said it's his "fervent prayer" that 2022 will be a better year for everybody, "in terms of wealth, health, relationships and progress."
In his Lunar New Year message to Filipinos and the Chinese community, Duterte said the Year of the Water Tiger "is hoped to bring us good fortune and renewed strength" as the Philippines recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic "and other challenges that have tested our mettle as a nation."
"Through our courage, faith and determination, we have become more resilient and capable to build back better," Duterte said.
Duterte also urged the public to "continue to demonstrate the ideas of bayanihan and malasakit, especially to those who are most in need," as the country looks forward to the blessings of the auspicious occasion.
"Let us all look forward to more opportunities for growth and prosperity in the New Year and become instruments of peace, harmony and generosity to all," Duterte said.
Vice President Leni Robredo, meanwhile, shared a video greeting on Facebook.
In the minute-long video, Robredo said that even if celebrations nowadays have have changed due to the threat of the pandemic, the new year's message would remain.
"Sa kabila ng anumang hamon, palaging may pag-asa. Palaging pwedeng magsimulang muli," Robredo said. "Na anumang pagsubok ang dumating, malalampasan natin ito hindi sa pagkakanya-kanya, hindi sa pagtatalo, kundi sa pakikisalo, pakikipagkapwa."
This story has been updated with Robredo's message.