De Lima Sends Birthday Message to Duterte, “May God Forgive All Your Sins”

President Rodrigo Duterte will turn 73 this Wednesday, March 28. As the oldest Philippine president at the age of 71, he plans to stay in his hometown in Davao City this Holy Week to celebrate his birthday. But of all people, jailed senator Leila de Lima was the one of the firsts to send him a birthday message, saying that she hopes God will forgive him.

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“Ito na ang aking ikalawang taon na hindi ako makakauwi sa amin para gunitain ang Semana Santa, bunsod ng di-makatarungang pagpapakulong sa akin ng rehimeng Duterte. Subalit sa kabila ng pampulitikang panggigipit,nananatili ang aking tatag ng loob at payapang pag-iisip bunga ng panalangin.” Jailed Sen. De Lima wrote on her letter.

(This is the second year that I have not spent the Lenten season at home, because of the injustice of the Duterte administration, sending me to jail. But despite the political pressure, I’m still strong and I have peace of mind because of my prayers.)

“Dahil sa walang humpay ng suporta sa akin ng aking pamilya at ng mga tao at sa awa ng Diyos, patuloy akong lalaban para sa katotohanan. At kahit pa mas pinili ng pangulo ang malasing sa sa kapangyarihan kaysa unahin ang pagsisilbi sa bayan, naniniwala ako na isang araw, gigisingin din siya ng ating Panginoon.” She added.

(Because of the continuous support from family and from the people, and God’s mercy, I will continue fighting for the truth. And even if the president chooses to be drunk with power instead of serving our country, I still believe that one day, God will awaken him.)

“Sa kanyang darating na kaarawan, nawa’y matamo niya kapayapaan ng isip, kalusugan ng katawan, at marangal na pamumuno. Nawa’y mapaunlad niya ang ating bayan, maipakulong niya ang dapat makulong, palayain ang dapat palayain, bigyan ng hustisya ang naaapi, at itigil ang walang saysay na pagpatay.” De Lima said further.

(In his coming birthday, I wish him peace of mind, a healthy body, and an honorable leadership. I wish he can improve the country, put in jail those who deserve it, release the innocent, give justice to the, and stop the senseless killings.)



“Pinapatawad ko na siya sa lahat ng kasalanan niya sa akin. Patawarin din sana siya ng ating Poong May Kapal at pagpalain nawa siya. Maligayang kaarawan, Mr. President!” The lady senator said in the last part of her birthday greetings to President Duterte.

(I forgive him for all the wrong he has done to me. May God forgive him, and bless him too. Happy birthday, Mr. President!)

Contributed by Renato Pasayao