Duterte in Holy Land: I believe in a ‘supreme God’

JERUSALEM – President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday professed his belief in a “supreme God” during his first visit to the Holy Land, months after his remarks that God was “stupid” caused an uproar among members of the Catholic Church and other religious groups.

“I believe in the supreme God that my father and mother passed into me. So huwag kayong maniwala diyan sa intriga na hindi ako naniniwala ng Diyos,” Duterte told overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) during a speech at the Raand Hotel here.

In a June 22 speech, Duterte, who is an open critic of the Catholic Church, ranted about God and called him stupid for the concept of “original sin.”

“Maybe because nandito rin ako sa Holy Land. And do not believe that hindi ko naman sinabing hindi ako naniniwala ng Diyos. Sinabi ko lang, “ayaw kong maniwala sa Diyos mo,” he said.

“You know, when you attack me in public using God as a platform, picturing me or portraying me as a devil or — you open the issue to debate,” he added.

Duterte has slammed the Catholic Church as “the most hypocritical institution” and accused some of the clergymen of corruption and abuses.  /vvp