By Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos
President Duterte has urged Filipinos to show compassion to the less fortunate and remember those who have risked their lives to retake Marawi City from the Islamic State-inspired Maute Group this Christmas.
“And in the midst of all merriment, let us pause and remember our countrymen who have lost their lives fighting for the integrity of our country, and for those who lost their homes and loved ones in the recent war, those who are far from their families, and those who are not as fortunate and as blessed as most of us,” Duterte said in a 1:10 video message posted in the Presidential Communications (Government of the Philippines) official Facebook page.
“Let us show our true compassion and include them in our supplications during the Yuletide season,” he added.
The President also wished for a progressive country and prosperous Filipinos.
One-hundred sixty-five soldiers and policemen while 962 militants were killed in the five-month long Marawi crisis in which thousands of residents were displaced by fighting.
Duterte has signed into law the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act that exempts those earning P250,000 and below from paying income tax beginning Jan. 1.
“This is the administration’s biggest Christmas gift to the Filipino people as 99 percent of the taxpayers will benefit from a simpler, fairer, and more efficient tax system,” Duterte.