Estrada prays for Pinoys’ unity

President Estrada prayed for greater unity and understanding among Filipinos as the nation prepared to celebrate Christmas amid the economic and political crises.

The Chief Executive made this impassioned appeal in his Christmas message in a pretaped broadcast yesterday of his weekly radio and television program "Jeep ni Erap."

With a traditional belen in the background, the glum-faced President, whose two and a half-year-old admi-nistration is facing its most serious challenge in an ongoing impeachment trial, reminded Filipinos of the Christmas spirit of love and understanding as a means to avoid or minimize conflict and even crimes in their midst.

Mr. Estrada’s defense in the impeachment trial received a blow on Friday when a bank executive testified that the President opened a P500-million account and signed an investment management agreement under the name "Jose Velarde."

"My dear countrymen, Christmas is not only a time for celebration. It is also the reflection of our lives. Together with progress, many people forget to love. This is the root cause of poverty, crime, war," Mr. Estrada said.

"As we celebrate our first Christmas this 21st century, let us open our hearts. Let us receive the light from Bethlehem and let it shine upon our lives," he exhorted.

The President reassured the Filipino people that he and First Family continue to pray for the enlightenment of the nation so that they would understand and love each other.

"Let us now start charting our future, using the light of God’s love. Understanding will bind our society. In unity, we can obtain strength and power to triumph over our fears, weaknesses, and attain what we have longed for – peace, prosperity and happiness," he said.

Accompanied by First Lady Luisa "Loi" Ejercito, the President visited an orphanage operated by the Asosacion de Fundacion de Damas Filipinas and handed out gifts to the orphans.

Mr. Estrada, who helped reconstruct the orphanage after it was razed by fire on Dec. 3, 1998, also handed a P1 million check to directress Elenita Nolasco to help maintain the orphanage.

The President said in his radio-TV program that the best gift Filipino children can get this Christmas is the unity, understanding and cooperation of their elders.

"To us who are their elders, the lives and future of our youth are in our hands. And in our youth lies the future of our country," he said.

"For them (the youth), during this Christmas time, I knock on your hearts. The best gift we can give them is our unity, understanding and cooperation so that we can support their needs and to prepare them to face the challenges of time," he added.

Mr. Estrada said this gift of a better future for Filipino children and the youth is given not only during the Christmas season but is a lifetime commitment of the government.

"This is also the message we impart in all our administration’s programs. Each of these programs aims to make the Filipino youth feel our love, peace, hope and happiness," Mr. Estrada pointed out, adding that such message should not only be heard and sung in Christmas songs but must be done and felt by all.