Duterte to meet with CBCP head Valles on July 9

Then presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte visits Davao City Archbishop Romulo Valles in his residence. Photo taken on Dec. 4, 2015. —PHOTO FROM BONG GO’S FACEBOOK ACCOUNT

President Rodrigo Duterte and Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president Romulo Valles would meet next week, a Palace official confirmed on Monday.

Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go told reporters that the meeting between the two leaders would be held on Monday, but the venue has yet to be finalized.

“Kausap ko [si] Valles and PRRD (Duterte). Confirmed meeting nila next week. Constant contact kami ni Arch[bishop] Valles ever since pag may concern siya,” he said in a text message to reporters.

The meeting between Duterte and Valles would come after President Duterte’s scathing remarks against the Catholic Church, calling God “stupid” and questioning the creation theory in the bible.

READ: Duterte on God, Catholics and Adam’s apple

Duterte had earlier formed a committee to dialogue with the Catholic Church and other religious groups to address the President’s rift with the Church.

In a press briefing in Maasin, Southern Leyte, Roque said expectations were “high” for the meeting of the two leaders.

“We have very high expectations because there’s a very good relation between the President of the CBCP and the President of the Republic, both of whom are natives of Davao,” he said. /ee

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