In his Easter message, Aquino also reminded Filipinos to follow the example of Jesus Christ, who he said sacrificed Himself to give mankind a chance at redemption.
“Tandaan po natin, dumaan si Hesukristo sa marami at matinding kalbaryo. Sa halip na sumuko, tinanggap niya ito ng buong-buo para mabigyan tayo ng oportunidad na makamtan ang buhay na walang hanggan. Ito naman ang hamon sa atin bilang kanyang mga tagasunod. Bigyang halaga natin ang pagkakataong … maiwaksi ang kasamaan at marating ang kaharian ng Diyos
sa harap ng mga pagsubok, paghihirap o ginhawa, nawa’y lagi nating isabuhay ang kanyang mga dakilang aral, ang paggawa ng tama, pagmamahal at paglingap sa kapwa,” he said
On the other hand, he said his administration will seek to make sure Filipinos have the opportunities to improve their lot in life even after he steps down from office in 2016.
“Nais natin maipadama sa mas nakakarami narito man po tayo o nakababa na sa pwesto, mananatili at dadami pa ang mga oportunidad para sa ating mga kababayan. Lubusin natin ang mga pagkakataong ito. Nasa kamay po natin ang susi ng ganap na pag-asenso. Tiyak pong sa ating malasakit sa isa’t isa at sa patnubay ng Panginoon, mararating natin ang katuparan ng ating mga panalangin at mithiin,” he said.
Aquino said that under his watch, the nation has risen from rampant graft and poverty, with people’s trust restored in the government.
He added people’s trust has likewise been restored in the justice system, with even the wealthy and powerful being made accountable.
“Naibalik na rin ang tiwala ng taumbayan sa pamahalaan. May piring na muli ang katarungan. Napaparusahan ang nagkakasala, mayaman man o makapangyarihan,” he said.
Also, he said basic services continue to benefit the people, including the conditional cash transfer program, PhilHealth, and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.
Under his watch, he said the government addressed the shortage of classrooms, textbooks and school desks. It also addressed the concerns of policemen, soldiers and informal settlers, he added.
On the other hand, he said the government signed with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front a comprehensive agreement on the Bangsamoro that would bring peace to Mindanao.
This would also give opportunities to Lumads, Muslims and Christians in Mindanao, he said.
“Asahan po ninyo sa nalalabing taon ng ating termino lalo natin patitibayin ang mga institusyon, lalo pang dadami ang mga tiwaling mananagot, lalo pang aarangkada ang ating ekonomiya. Lalo pang iigting ang ating mga serbisyo, at lalo pang aangat ang antas ng pamumuhay ng ating mga kababayan,” he said. — Joel Locsin /LBG, GMA News
