By Czarina Nicole Ong
Former Senator Juan Ponce Enrile is generally pleased with the performance of President Rodrigo Duterte, although he cannot say the same thing about the President’s controversial “stupid” God comment.
Former senator Juan Ponce Enrile (Credits: Wikimedia Commons | Manila Bulletin)
Enrile was at the Sandiganbayan Third Division in Quezon City yesterday morning to deal with his plunder pretrial. While the former senator was tight-lipped to discuss anything about his case, he was more forthcoming with his thoughts about the president.
When asked if he was happy with Duterte’s administration, he answered: “In some aspects, yes. In some aspects...” he trailed off before adding, “nobody's perfect. In general, yes I'm satisfied.”
“Personally, in the area of foreign policy, he is starting with diplomacy. He is following a traditional system,” Enrile continued. “If you have the means, the capability to impose sanction against your adversaries, then impose sanction. If you have the force, then impose force. The only option of the country as far as I can see is diplomacy.”
Enrile continued his praise for the president when it comes to domestic issues. “In the case of our internal problems, I agree with him in his dealings with the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and New People’s Army (NPA),” he said.
“I agree with him in dealing with the problem of Islamism in Mindanao. I agree with him with respect to the law enforcement of criminal statutes in the country,” he added.
On the other hand, Enrile drew the line with Duterte’s remark about God. Last month, Duterte criticized God by calling him “stupid” for creating the Garden of Eden and yet allowing Adam and Eve to be tempted and fall to the clutches of sin.
“Now, I differ with him regarding the problem of God. But I agree with him that you cannot really tangibly empirically see or feel or hear God. It's like air but you cannot see it. But it exists,” Enrile affirmed.