While he admitted that he was “hurt” by President Rodrigo Duterte’s verbal attacks against God, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said he is confident that the President would realize his mistake and apologize for it.
“I have a lot of respect for [the] President. In fact, sinusuportahan ko karamihan sa mga policies niya at nakita ko yung kanyang sincerity pagdating sa paglaban sa droga, paglaban sa krimen,” Gatchalian said in an interview at the Senate on Monday.
(I have a lot of respect for [the] President. In fact, I support most of his policies, and I saw his sincerity in fighting illegal drugs, and in fighting criminality.)
“But coming from a Christian family, especially ang pamilya ko maraming pastor, my mother is a pastor, para sa akin hindi tamang murahin ang ating Panginoon dahil we have to respect each other’s faith, and we have to respect each other’s beliefs.”
(But coming from a Christian family, especially there are many pastors in my family, my mother is a pastor, for me, it’s not right to curse our God because we have to respect each other’s faith, and we have to respect each other’s beliefs.)
“At kagaya kami na nanggaling sa isang Kristyanong pamilya, masakit para sa amin dahil yun ang tinuturo namin sa Christian school at yun ang tinuturo namin sa aming mga kasama,” he added.
The senator said cursing God was “very painful” not only for Christians but also for the Catholics.
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And while he respects the President’s personal convictions, Gatchalian said he hopes Duterte would do the same for those who have different beliefs, including those who are devout Christians.
He also expressed hope the President would refrain from making such remark, referring to Duterte’s speech last Friday where he called God “stupid.”
He said he remains confident that the President would apologize once he realizes his mistake.
Asked if he thinks the President should apologize for calling God “stupid,” the senator said: “I think he needs to realize first that people were hurt especially those who devoted their lives to the teachings of Lord. I think he will [apologize] once he realizes na may mga taong nasaktan sa nasabi nya (that there were people who were offended by what he said).”
Gatchalian said Duterte is “man enough” to own up to his mistake. Besides, the senator said, Duterte’s attacks against God were only done “out of passion” and “out of emotion.” /ee