Senators turn to Bible amid COVID-19, uncertain times

Several senators on Monday availed of the privilege hour in the Senate session to commemorate the National Bible Day in the Philippines, a predominantly Christian country.

Senator Joel Villanueva said there is a need to give Filipinos more access to the word of God, especially now that Filipinos are facing the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Hangga't ang Bibliya po ang sandigan ng ating Republika, mapagtatagumpayan po natin ang pandemya. Ang Salita ng Diyos ang magsisilbi po nating bakuna sa takot at pangamba sa mga pagbabago sa daigdig natin sa kasalukuyan," he said in a privilege speech.

Senator Manny Pacquiao described the Bible as a "manual to life" and even used its acronym in saying that it should be considered the "Basic Information Before Leaving Earth."

Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa also shared how the Word of God helped him survive his battle with COVID-19 last year.

"When I discovered that my daughter and I contracted the deadly virus, instead of feeling neglected and questioning our faith, I turned to the Bible. In that very moment, I felt healed. The Word of our Lord never fails to give us a comforting feeling of  security," he said.

Senator Pia Cayetano agreed with her colleagues and said she believes reading the Bible would help build up better leaders in the country.

"I believe that it would make all of us better people, better servants of our country, better servants of God if we knew our Bible better," she said.

Republic Act 11163 which provided for the observance of the National Bible Day in the Philippines every last Monday of January was signed into law in 2019.

'End times, elections'

Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, meanwhile, took the opportunity to ask his colleagues if the world is indeed in the end times with all the health and economic crises going on.

Villanueva and Pacquaio both quoted Bible verses which stated that no one can predict when exactly would the end of the world come.

From which, Zubiri opened a light discussion.

"Sana hindi pa po, Mr. President, end times kasi paano naman 'yung presidential campaign natin kay Senator Manny Pacquiao, sayang naman, or for Grace Poe, baka maging presidente pa sila," he jested.

"Saka baka maging Vice President Sotto pa, 'di natin alam 'yun," he added.

Poe replied: "Nang-iintriga si majority leader ha. Wala na kaming balak diyan baka si President Sonny Angara na lang o President Drilon, mas okay 'yun."—LDF, GMA News