MANILA, Philippines— “Disgrace is when a member of the Catholic Church uses unsavory language against President Rodrigo Duterte.”
This was Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo’s response to Balanga Bishop Ruperto Santos’ statement over church-run Radio Veritas on Tuesday that Duterte’s presidency was not only a “disappointment” but also a “disgrace.”
Panelo took up the cudgels again for Duterte, who he said “only fulfills and complies with his constitutional mandate to lead the government in serving the Filipinos and protecting them from what bedevils our society.”
“We find it very unfortunate that Bishop Santos fails to follow the teaching of Christ that if someone throws a stone at you, throw a piece of bread at him in response,” he added.
Panelo also said that the Bishop must be “uninformed” or he chose to ignore the survey results showing Duterte’s high approval and trust ratings.
“The President’s most recent approval and trust ratings show that the Filipino people whom PRRD (Duterte) is duty-bound to serve and protect [are] highly appreciative of the Chief Executive and his brand of leadership. It appears that the good Bishop is uninformed or is ignoring the survey results,” Panelo said.
The Palace official was referring to a Pulse Asia survey where Duterte remained the most trusted top official in the country.
READ: Duterte still most trusted Philippine official; Arroyo least trusted – Pulse Asia
Panelo went on to say that Duterte could have preferred retirement; instead, he “opted to rise to the challenge of the times and at the commencement of his presidency has waged war against all fronts of illegality in the country.”
“The good bishop of Balanga should pray for the President, the way we pray for the Bishop’s enlightenment, that PRRD may run the affairs of the country well instead of lambasting him,” Panelo said. /ee