Duterte on Christian doctrine of Trinity: ‘That’s silly’

MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday lashed out at the Catholic Church again, this time calling the Christian doctrine of the Holy Trinity “silly.”

“Alam mo ba kung ilan ang santo ng Katoliko? 35,000. All the years. Sa Italy marami sila. Ang Pilipino meron rin. Magdasal ka na sa isang Diyos, magdasal ka pa dito sa mga santong y***,” Duterte said in a speech in Kidapawan City, Cotabato.

“Isa lang ang Diyos. There’s only one God, period. You cannot divide God into three. That’s silly,” he added.

Duterte has been known in mocking the belief and teachings of the Catholic Church, the dominant religion in the country.

Duterte previously drew public backlash after calling God “stupid.” He also ordered the killing of prelates critical of his administration.

In the same speech, the President again joked about having a new religion – the Iglesia ni Rodrigo.

“Kini-criticize ako ng mga taga-Maynila dahil naggagawa raw ako ng kulto. Nag-o-organize ako ng kulto kay gusto kong yumaman kasi may mga ano diyan – yumayaman eh. Wala mang bayad itong akin, libre. ‘Anong religion mo?’ ‘Iglesia ni Rodrigo’,” he said.