Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque (Photo by JOAN BONDOC / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
Do not take President Rodrigo Duterte’s words seriously.
Malacañang had to make such clarification again on Monday after the Chief Executive blamed a priest for the collapse of a church in Itogon, Benguet as typhoon “Ompong” battered Northern Luzon over the weekend.
In a televised post-disaster meeting in Cagayan on Sunday, Duterte said the collapse of a church that resulted in the death of more than a dozen people should be blamed on the priest of that church.
“There is a – there’s an evolving story sa Itogon, Barangay Ucab, 43 persons doon, nag-collapse ‘yung church,” he said.
“Well, kaya nga ito eh. Alam mo, Sir, sa totoo lang, kung pinalitan ninyo ‘yung pari diyan, hindi magbagsak ‘yang simbahan na ‘yan. Bobo kasi itong mga pari. P***** i**,” he added.
Sought for comment, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque downplayed the latest remark of Mr. Duterte.
“Ang tingin ko naman po, hindi naman po seryoso ang Presidente. Let’s not take his word always literally,” Roque said.
“Ang balita ko po, itong structure na naguho na pag-aari pa rin ng isang mining company is being used by United Church of Christ of the Philippines. I belong to that Protestant denomination. It is not the Catholic Church,” he added.
To recall, Mr. Duterte had drawn the ire of the public for calling God “stupid” as well joking about rape. He has likewise repeatedly slammed priests for their “hypocrisy.” /kga