MANILA, Philippines - President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo this week likened the plight of the poor to the suffering of Jesus Christ as she vowed to curb corruption, poverty and crime to provide relief and uplift their lives.
"As we commemorate the suffering and death of Jesus Christ, we should think of our neighbors who are also suffering the way Christ did because of the sins of society," she said in her Lenten message.
"We have countrymen who are suffering because of violence, crime, hunger, sickness, illiteracy and poverty. In the spirit of the Holy Week, as one country, we should welcome them, feed them, clothe them, give them medicine, provide them education, and provide them a good life and bright future."
Arroyo said Filipinos live in a time of "great moral challenges" but she assured that the government will fight for a strong economy to cut poverty.
"Beyond policies and programs, our people want leaders that are God-fearing, pro-poor, unafraid to make tough decisions, hardworking and loyal to the people of the nation. These are the values we live by. These are the values we expect to be judged on when we meet our Maker," she said.
"Let us pray for guidance so we can achieve national unity and renewal as we march towards peace and development."
Arroyo's call came as tens of thousands of protesters in recent weeks have rallied to press for her resignation over a raging corruption scandal.
The Phillipine Senate has been investigating allegations that Arroyo, her husband and a former elections chief benefited from huge kickbacks in an aborted US$330 million deal with China's ZTE Corp. to set up a nationwide broadband network.
Presidential spokesmen have dismissed the charges as hearsay and opposition "grandstanding," according to The Associated Press. The president's husband and the former elections chief – who resigned last year after he was implicated – have both denied any wrongdoing. ZTE has denied bribing anyone. Arroyo canceled the contract in September because of the controversy.
Currently, the president and First Gentleman Jose Miguel T. Arroyo are spending the Lenten break at The Mansion – the presidential guest house in Baguio City.
RSS
