Duterte dares clergy: Refute ‘Altar of Secrets,’ I’ll crucify myself on Holy Week

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.  PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday offered a bold challenge to the clergy: Disprove revelations contained in the book “Altar of Secrets” and he would have himself nailed on the cross.

“Kung masagot nila ito at sabihin nila na may isang bagay dito na mali, abangan niyo ang Holy Week, dito ako magpalansang (magpapako) sa krus sa Bulacan. Oo. Totoo,” he said during the ground breaking of the Gregorio del Pilar National High School in Bulacan, eliciting laughter from the crowd.

“Pero huwag naman matagal. Siguro 30 minutos na naka(pako). Kaya ko man ‘yan. Walang yabang,” he added. “As a matter of principle, sige gawin ko. But you correct this. Tell us the truth, kasi kami we had no choice. When I was born, Katoliko tatay at nanay ko.”

The Altar of Secrets written by late journalist Aries Rufo contains articles about sex and corruption scandals involving bishops and priests.

The Catholic Church has earned the ire of Duterte for criticizing his brutal war on drugs and criminality.

The President has branded the Church as the “most hypocritical institution” in the country. /kga