Vice President Sara Duterte has rallied Filipinos to reject despair, oppression, and chaos, asserting that a bright future remains within reach for the country despite mounting public frustrations over national issues.
Addressing the audience at the 60th Araw ng Nunungan celebration in Lanao del Norte, Duterte acknowledged that widespread dissatisfaction has left many citizens feeling exhausted, angry, and disheartened by current community and governance issues.
”Is there hope for the Philippines?” Duterte asked.
”Dunay paglaom, naay pag-asa. Kung dili nato dawaton ang kagubot, dunay paglaum kung di nato dawaton ang pagpangdaug-daug. Kung di nato dawaton na magpabiling pobre ang atoang nasod,” she added.
The Vice President emphasized that genuine hope stems from looking past current hardships and focusing on paving a better path for future generations.
”Duna pa ba’y paglaom? Dunay paglaom. Ibalik nato ang tapang at malasakit dinha sa atoang mga kasing-kasing,” she said.
During her speech, Duterte praised the host municipality of Nunungan, highlighting its impressive evolution from a locality once weighed down by family feuds into a beacon of stability and growth within Lanao del Norte.
She drew parallels to her own governance experience in Mindanao to underscore the vital link between stability and economic growth.
”Kahibalo mo nakat-unan na namo didto sa syudad sa Davao. Dili gyud muabot ang kalamboan kung walay kalinaw,” she said.
She noted that peace serves as the absolute baseline for any community aiming to achieve economic growth.
Duterte lauded Nunungan’s successful transition from what was once considered a center of clan wars into a thriving hub celebrated for unity, farming innovations, and eco-tourism.