Palace to Balanga bishop: Pray for Duterte to run country well instead of lambasting him

January 15, 2019

Malacanang hit on Tuesday a Catholic bishop who called President Rodrigo Duterte's presidency a "disgrace" to the country.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the Palace was saddened by the remarks of Balanga, Bataan Bishop Ruperto Santos.

"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," he said in a statement.

Panelo said it was more disgraceful when a member of the clergy uses unsavory language against Duterte "who 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 noted that Duterte's recent approval and trust ratings show the Filipino people have been "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. Like the Bishop, the President is imperfect, but unlike him, PRRD looks at the innate goodness of man. The President who could have preferred retirement and enjoy its bliss opted to rise to the challenge of the times and at the commencement of his presidency has waged a war against all fronts of illegality in the country," he said.

He said Duterte's success in the success of the whole nation.

Santos said that Duterte's presidency is disappointment and disgrace to our country.

"It is known as ‘kill, kill, kill’," he said, apparently referring on the government's bloody war on illegal drugs. Celerina Monte/DMS