Palace confirms Duterte to hold 1-on-1 meeting with CBCP head

Presidential Spokesperson Hary Roque. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / JOAN BONDOC

President Rodrigo Duterte is set to have a one-on-one meeting with the president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque revealed on Saturday.

Roque confirmed this latest development following a meeting on Friday night with Papal Nuncio Gabriel Giordano Caccia.

During that meeting, it was also agreed upon “that both State and Church should work together for the benefit of the people.”

“The Papal Nuncio also welcomes further meetings with PRRD (President Rodrigo R. Duterte),” Roque said in a statement.

The said meeting of Roque and Caccia lasted for about an hour.

LOOK: Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque meets with Papal Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Gabriele Caccia on Friday night. Photo from @attyharryroque | @inquirerdotnet pic.twitter.com/txAEybRN8P

— Nestor A. Corrales (@NCorralesINQ) June 29, 2018

Duterte earlier formed a three-man panel that was tasked to hold a dialogue with religious groups following his controversial remarks against the Church.

READ: Let’s pray for Duterte’s healing, bishops urge

The three-man team would include Roque himself, Cabinet Secretary Leoncio “Jun” Evasco Jr., Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ernesto Abella and Council for Philippine Affairs Secretary General Pastor “Boy” Saycon Jr. /jpv

READ: Duterte forms team to dialogue with Catholic Church, other groups