Photo: VP Sara Duterte

MANILA, Philippines – Despite having said that she will never forgive, Vice President Sara Duterte still reminded Filipinos that Christmas is about forgiveness, openness and spreading love. 

In her Christmas message released on Tuesday (December 24), Duterte greeted the nation in Arabic, Visayan and Filipino and spoke about giving love to one another. 

She urged people to draw inspiration from how God treats His neighbors, especially family and lends compassion to the needy and the sick. 

The essence of Christmas, she said, should be felt not only in December but throughout the year. 

READ FULL MESSAGE: 

Assalamu Alaykum Warakmatullahi Wabarakatuh!

Madayaw ug maayong adlaw kaninyong tanan!

Magandang araw sa inyong lahat.

Aking ipinapaabot ang aking taos-pusong pagbati sa bawat Pilipino ngayong Pasko.

Sa ating pagsariwa sa diwa ng Pasko, tayong lahat ay tinatawag upang maging mapagpatawad, bukas-palad, at mapagmahal sa ating kapwa.

Ang kapanganakan ni Hesus ay isang mensahe ng kapatawaran na sumasailalim sa walang kapantay na pag-ibig ng Diyos sa lahat. Gamitin natin ang kaniyang halimbawa bilang inspirasyon sa ating pakikipag-kapwa, lalo’t higit sa ating pamilya at mga minamahal sa buhay.

Higit sa mga materyal na bagay na ating matatanggap ngayong Pasko, tayo ay inaanyayahang magbigay ng pag-unawa, respeto, at pagmamahal sa bawat isa, lalo na sa mga mahihirap at may karamdaman.

Ito ang tunay na diwa ng panahong ito, at ito ay isang paalaala sa ating lahat, hindi lamang ngayong buwan ng Disyembre, kundi sa lahat ng araw.

Muli, ipinapaabot ko ang aking mainit na pagbati sa bawat Pilipino saan mang panig ng mundo.

Malipayong Pasko ug Mabungahong Bag-ong Tuig kaninyong tanan!

Duterte has been front and center to headline-worthy controversies this year because of the various accusations against her and her explosive actuations and statements that got her in trouble. 

Three impeachment complaints have now been filed against her, all anchored on betrayal of public trust due to her supposed misuse of her offices’ confidential funds. 

She is also being investigated by the National Bureau of Investigation over her kill plot against the administration. 

Adding to her headaches is the filing of a criminal complaint by Quezon City Police against her and a few more following a confrontation with officers who secured the hospital transfer of her top aide. 

Aside from her legal battles, Duterte has time and again traded barbs with government officials during the course of congressional hearings scrutinizing her budget expenditures. 

Over two weeks ago, the Vice President made it clear that despite calling for forgiveness, understanding, love and peace for one another, she will not forgive. 

“Ang pasko po ay panahon ng pagpapatawad, pagmamahalan at pagbibigay – forgiving, giving and loving. Lagi ko po sinasabi na depende po ‘yan sa tao pero dahil ako ay Vice President, kailangan ko sabihin sa inyo na ‘yan po ang mensahe at diwa ng pasko. Pero po ako hindi po talaga ako magpapatawad,” she said.