President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday claimed that he knows a prelate who steals Church donations for personal use.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Cavite Gateway Terminal in Tanza, Cavite, Duterte said he even has videos to prove that a certain Bishop “David” is taking Church donations for his family.
“Ikaw, David, tumahimik ka ha. Sige ka lang hingi ng contribution diyan sa mga… Saan ang pera ng mga tao? Sige lang hingi, may second collection pa,” Duterte said.
(You, David, be quiet. You are asking contribution from… Where is the money from the people? You are even asking for a second collection.)
“Alam mo totoo lang, sabihin ko sa inyo, iyong mga offerings, iyong mga pinya, mga avocado, saging, saan napupunta iyan? Gusto ninyong malaman? Gusto ninyo ng video? Ibigay ko sa inyo. Doon sa pamilya niya,” he added.
(You know what, I’ll tell you. The offerings — pineapples, avocados, bananas. You want to know where they are? Do you want a video? I’ll give that you. They are with his family.)
The President, however, did not fully identify who Bishop “David” was.
Duterte has been known to mock prelates and the teachings of the Church.
Earlier, he drew widespread criticisms for calling God “stupid,”,and for mocking San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of farmers, as well as the Catholic practice of “assigning” a patron saint to every parish. /ee
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