By Argyll Cyrus Geducos
Malacañang said that it would not be surprising if some members of the Catholic Church will work with the communist rebels to oust President Duterte.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque
(RESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made the statement as the government and the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) iron out the upcoming dialogue between President Duterte and CBCP President Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles.
Roque, in his press briefing in Southern Leyte, said some members of the Church still cannot accept Duterte's win in the previous elections and will never learn to accept that reality.
"Alam niyo naman talaga 'yung patutsada ng Simbahan, eh nagsimula naman 'yon nung natalo 'yung kandidato nila noong eleksyon. Tapatan na, Kristiyano naman tayo, bakit pa tayo magpapaligoy-ligoy. Marami po talaga sa Simabahan hindi matanggap na 'yung kandidato nila talunan (You know, the Church's criticism is rooted from the defeat of their bet last Presidential elections. Let's stop beating around the bush, we're Christians. There really are a lot of people in the Church who cannot accept their bet is a loser)," he said.
"So talagang sa kanila, kahit ano pang mangyari baka marami nga sa kanila eh hindi nila tatanggapin si Presidente (So for them, no matter what happens, maybe ost of them will never learn to accept the president)," he added.
Roque also said that he would not be surprised if some Church members would work with the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF), to oust the President.
"Kaya nga hindi malayo na magkaisa 'yung ilan sa kanila diyan sa CPP-NPA na patalsikin si Presidente Duterte. Pero 'yan po ay panaginip (It is not far-fetched if some of them will work with the CPP-NPA to oust the President. But that is a dream)," he said.
The Palace official said that the Church should accept that Duterte won the elections fair and square, and also to respect Duterte's victory as stated in the Bible.
"Ang Presidente po, unang-una ay nanalo po 'yan na walang daya. Marami nga nagsasabi baka mas marami pang boto pero wala pong kaduda-duda ang mandato na binigay kay Pangulong Duterte (First of all, the President won without cheating. A lot are even saying that he may have received more vote but the President is given that mandate without a doubt)," Roque said.
"At nasa Biblia po 'yan, kailangan respetuhin 'yung mga pinili ng taumbayan (And also, it's in the bible that we need to respect the choice of the people," he pointed out.
However, Roque, in a statement Monday evening, clarified that he was not implying a connivance between the Church and the communist group to overthrow the government.
"The transcript will bear me out that what I was in fact saying is that I am not discounting the possibility that in the near future some religious leaders might join the clamor for the President’s ouster," he said.
"I was not talking about the Church in general but only referring to those members of the Church who remain unhappy with the election of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte," he added.
Duterte's relationship with the Catholic Church has been on the rocks following the criticisms by some members of the clergy on the President's controversial policies, including the drug war.
Recently, Duterte's rift with the Catholic Church intensified after he called God 'stupid' and questioned the Creation story as told in the Bible.
Ongoing dialogue
Meanwhile, Roque said that the government's dialogue with the Church continues, reiterating that Duterte will soon talk with Valles.
Duterte formed a four-man committee to hold dialogues with the Church following his controversial remark. The committee is composed of Roque, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ernesto Abella, Cabinet Secretary Jun Evasco, and Pastor Boy Saycon.
Roque reiterated that the it was agreed during his meeting with Papal Nuncio Gabriel Giordano Caccia Friday evening that Duterte would hold a dialogue with Valles.
"Inaayos na rin po ang (We are now ironing out the details of the) meeting on the part of the President of the CBCP who is from Davao, and the President. And that is why from here po, 'yun na nga po, baka mag-set na kami ng (we may now be able to set a) date depending on the President's availability," he said.
The Palace official said that the Church and the State agreed that both share the same mission of serving the people. He, however, refused to divulge other information about the meeting as both him and Caccia agreed to keep things confidential.
"Siguro mas mabuti kung magkakaroon ng mas malapitang relasyon para mas makakabuti 'yung paninilbihan sa taumbayan (Maybe it would be better if the Church and the State would have a closer relationship to improve its service to the people)," he said.
Roque earlier said that it would be good for both Duterte and Valles to meet as they have a common ground--both being from Davao City.
"I don’t think the Church will ever stand in judgment on the sincerity of anyone. At least I believe as much in the Church. So if it’s a President to President meeting, good because they are both from Davao," he said.