By Genalyn Kabiling
Insisting he is not an atheist, President Duterte now recognizes that he could not have won the presidency without God.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte
(KING RODRIGUEZ/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
The President, almost halfway in his six-year term, said he believes in God and that he managed to survive life with God’s help.
"I never said I do not believe in God. What I said is your God is stupid, mine has a lot of common sense. That’s what I told the bishops," Duterte said during the awarding of child-friendly municipalities and cities in Malacañang last Wednesday.
"I never said I was an atheist. Well, the presidency is a God-given gift. I am sure God would not have given me the position if I was a bullsh*t. Magklaro tayo doon. I couldn’t have made it in life even the barest that I --- before the presidency --- without God," he added.
In another speech at the Palace, Duterte said God-given presidency involves providing genuine service to the public. He said he was committed to preserve the nation and protect the people even at risk of landing jail.
"The presidency is a gift from God and the gift from God includes the service to my fellowmen," he said.
He pledged to continue his relentless war on illegal drugs, saying he would be “harsh” in the campaign against the menace. "I assume full responsibility and I answer for it. And if I have to go to jail, I will go to jail so be it,” he added.