Overseas Filipino workers laboring in the Middle East took center stage in Vice President Sara Duterte’s Holy Week reflection, as she drew parallels between the season’s religious significance and the hardships endured by Filipinos working abroad amid regional instability.
In a video message released Monday, Duterte called on Filipinos to pray for the safety of OFWs amid ongoing tensions in the area, describing them as living embodiments of sacrifice.
“Kinikilala natin ang sakripisyo ng ating mga kababayan, lalo na ang ating mga OFWs sa Middle East. Sa gitna ng kaguluhan, hinihiling natin ang kanilang kaligtasan. Sila ay mga buhay na halimbawa ng sakripisyo, at hinihiling natin ang kapayapaan sa kanilang kinalalagyan,” the Vice President said.
Beyond the plight of workers overseas, Duterte framed the Lenten season as an occasion for Filipinos to turn inward — weighing their personal hopes against their responsibilities to family and nation.
“Sa panahong ito ng Kwaresma, isapuso natin ang kapakanan ng ating bansa. Idalangin natin ang isang lipunang pinatatakbo ng katotohanan, katarungan, at tapat na malasakit,” she said.
Duterte grounded her message in the Christian narrative of Christ’s suffering, arguing that the season’s deeper meaning lies in selfless service rather than personal gain.
“Nawa’y magsilbing inspirasyon ang aral ng sakripisyo ni Hesus upang tayo ay magkaisa para sa isang matatag at maunlad na Pilipinas,” she added.
