Join ‘Iglesia ni Duterte,’ Digong says after spat with clergy

Presumptive President-elect Rodrigo Duterte. NESTOR CORRALES/INQUIRER.net

DAVAO CITY—Presumptive President-elect Rodrigo Duterte continued his tirades against the country’s Roman Catholic Church after earlier tagging it as “the most hypocritical institution” and accusing some  bishops of corruption.

In a late-night press conference on Monday, Duterte started his attack on the Church by announcing his intention of making available artificial birth control methods to the people.

READ: Duterte defies Catholic Church’s belief on family planning

He also clarified that his push for a three-child policy is just a suggestion.

“I am reinstalling the family planning program. Yung three lang anak (Where you only have three children) and making available itong mga artificial birth controls,” Duterte said.

“I cannot force people to follow. We are just suggesting that you are in good hands if you limit the number of your children,” he added.

The tough-talking incoming President said  Filipinos should not listen to the Church if it could not help them support their children.

“Buti sana kung magbigay ang Katoliko ng honorarium (to families with multiple children). Sabi ko nga, kung hindi makatulong ang simbahan, wag na kayo makinig diyan. Puro kabulastugan lang lahat ‘yan,” Duterte said.

(Better if the Catholic Church could give honorarium. Like what I said, if the Church can’t help, don’t listen to them. They’re all bluff.)

He then launched an offensive against bishops who allegedly campaigned against him during the elections.

“Ang hindi kasi nakuha ng simbahan… napaka-bobo naman kasi itong Katoliko. Tapos ngayon, nagsabi pa, hindi daw sila nagkampanya. Eh ‘yung tatlong bishop na nagsalita against me?” said Duterte.

(What the Catholic Church didn’t get [about family planning] is they have stupid [points of view]. But now, they said they didn’t [participate in] the campaign. How about the three bishops who spoke against me?)

READ: Archbishop hits Duterte: Corruption is a devil with many faces / Bishop hits Duterte for thinking, acting like God / CBCP: Pope Francis not endorsing Duterte

Duterte then lashed out against bishops who allegedly received SUVs during the term of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. He singled out Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop emeritus Oscar Cruz.

“Meron pa dito si Oscar Cruz, nagsabi na ginamit daw yung mga Montero pati yung Land Cruiser as part of the charity of the priests. Kelan mo gagamitin ang mga Montero, pati mga SUV? Bobolahin mo pa mga Pilipino! Hoy, Oscar! Oca, wag mong bolahin ang mga Pilipino. Nakakahiya ka!” he said.

([Archbishop] Oscar Cruz said Montero and Land Cruiser were used as part of the charity of priests. When are you going to use Montero and the SUV? You are cajoling the Filipinos. Hey Oscar, Oca, don’t fool the Filipinos. You’re a shame.)

The incoming President said that the bishops should pray for pardon for the abuses they committed against the Filipino people.

READ: Duterte slams Church as hypocritical institution

“Hindi niyo nga ma-correct yung abuses ng mga pari. Until now you haven’t done anything. There are so many abuses that the Church has committed. Better go down on bended knees and pray to God and ask for pardon for the Filipino people,” Duterte said.

After his tirades against the  Church, he extended an unusual invitation.

“Di na ako miyembro ng Katoliko. May bago ako, lipat na lang kayo dito sa Iglesia ni Duterte,” he told reporters in jest.

(I’m no longer a member of the Catholic Church. I have something new. Join me here at Iglesia ni Duterte.)

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines is set to release a statement to counter Duterte’s attacks during the ordination of Bishop-elect Enrique Macaraeg at the St. John the Evangelist Cathedral in Dagupan City on Tuesday. TVJ/rga