Cheers to a Merry 2017 Christmas and a brighter 2018!

A lot of good things have happened this year, and to list them all – especially the achievements of the Duterte administration, would definitely not fit in a single article. Hence, let me just highlight those that gave meaning to the year that’s about to come to a close: President Duterte turned over the first P100 million that the government allocated to Philippine General Hospital to help indigent patients with their medical needs. He also turned over a P100-million check to Veterans Memorial Medical Center just early this month, and committed to provide another P50 million to the medical facility every succeeding month.

Marawi City was held under siege by the Maute Group this year, but after months of relentless fighting, our soldiers were able to push them back. The war may have ended but the battle isn’t finished, as we have just started programs to help the city get back to its feet.

Issues connected to drug-related killings still haven’t stopped, but we have the #RealNumbers to counter the figures that are being peddled by politicians to the media.

We have successfully hosted all ASEAN-related events, and we have likewise signed a number of agreements that the country will benefit from.

President Duterte signed the law on free tuition in state universities and colleges (SUCs) last August, and to end the year right, he signed the tax reform bill that aims to finance the infrastructure program of the government and help the ordinary Filipino employee take home more from their salary.

It has just been a year and a half since our Tatay Digong was elected as president, and we can now see the good things he has done, unless of course if you’ve been blinded by hatred brought by various forms of black propaganda being spread by his detractors. Some people might argue, but to most Filipinos especially the DDS, he has been and still is the greatest leader we could hope for.

But the fight is far from over, brothers and sisters: we still have four and a half years to foster the change that we aspire for our country. If we truly want the current administration to fully achieve its goal of bringing a brighter future to Filipinos, I implore everyone to unite and support the President in his endeavors. It is through us, his supporters, that his voice is heard by the grassroots communities, by the common folk. It is through us that his true accomplishments are cemented and made known, and it is we who prevent TRAPOs and EPALITIKOs from winning the minds and hearts of the public.

We were able to do this before despite our differences, and we were able to fight back those who seek to destroy, those who want to hamper the progress Tatay Digong has been tirelessly working on – though not individually, but as a family. In this season of giving, it is my hope that we can forgive and seek forgiveness. It is my hope that we can be united once again, just like what we did before. Let’s reignite the hope of all Filipinos, and make sure that their dream – our dream – of a better Philippines, is achievable.

Merry Christmas to all of you and let’s start 2018 with a new energy to fight, not among ourselves, but for the Filipino people.