Panelo slams bishop critical of Duterte; says clergyman is the real ‘disgrace’

Photo: ABS-CBN News
Photo: ABS-CBN News

The war between members of the Catholic church and the Philippine government continues, and it looks like no side is willing to keep quiet.

President Rodrigo Duterte’s spokesperson Salvador Panelo today slammed Balanga, Bataan Bishop Ruperto Santos for calling the president a “disgrace” to the country.

From Panelo’s perspective, it’s actually Santos who is the real disgrace.

The Philippine Star quoted Panelo saying today: “What is a disgrace is when a member of the clergy uses unsavory language against President Rodrigo 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.”

From the looks of it, the exchange of harsh words has evolved into almost juvenile name-calling.

The controversy started when Santos, during an interview with Catholic-owned radio station Radio Veritas, said: “His (Duterte) presidency is [a] disappointment and disgrace to our country. It is known as ‘kill, kill, kill.'”

To be fair with Santos, he was just reacting to Duterte’s statement during the birthday of a governor last week where he told bystanders to rob and kill bishops.

Duterte was quoted by ABS-CBN News as saying in Filipino: “You loiterers — when a bishop passes by, rob them, they have so much money. Those sons of a b*tches. Kill them. They’re mad at me.”

Yup, it’s not like the president is absolutely blameless. His “kill them” instruction is just the latest in a long list of tirades against the Catholic Church. In fact, in December, he already told people to “kill” bishops because they keep criticizing him and his policies, including his bloody war on drugs.

But Panelo never seems to get tired of defending his boss. He said that instead of criticizing, Santos should just pray for Duterte.

He was quoted saying by Manila Bulletin: “The good bishop of Balanga should pray for the president, the way we pray for the Bishop’s enlightenment, that PRRD (Duterte) may run the affairs of the country well instead of lambasting him.”

He even showcased his knowledge of the Bible to prove his point.

“I think the good bishop is forgetting that Christ has taught us that if someone throws stones at you, then throw a piece of bread in return. That’s Christian doctrine and that is the teaching of the Church. It appears that the good bishop is not practicing what he teaches and what he has learned in the seminary,” he was quoted by Sun Star.

Nice. Maybe Panelo will start teaching the gospel, too.



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