On Sun, May 22, incoming President Rodrigo Duterte once again discussed his main points of contention against the Catholic Chuch, a powerful religious institution that has clearly used its clout to influence government policies on matters such as family planning and civil unions.
Duterte has expressed his disdain for religion in past interviews, saying, “I believe in God, but not in religion.”
READ: Duterte: ‘I believe in God, but I do not believe in religion’
In the May 22 interview cited in the report of Jamie Punzalan on ABS-CBNnews.com, he reiterated the reasons why he shuns the institution that has muddled up the supposed separation of Church and State. We picked five of Duterte’s burning statements from the said interview.
1. The CBCP was against him
“They campaigned against me, everybody was saying ‘Do not vote for Duterte.’ Fine. I said, let this election be a referendum between me and the Catholic Church. Sabi ko, this will be a referendum kung sinong tama sa atin (I said this will be a referendum to decide who is right). Look, were you able to stop me?” This is in reference to the fact that the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) released a pastoral letter a few days before the elections in a bid to dissuade the electorate from voting for him.
2. A bishop seemed to be indifferent to his story about being molested by a priest
“Paano ako mag-file (How will I file a case)? The priest died 30 years ago and the incident happened during the 50s. Where would you find the venue, ang prescription is about 20 years? Sinong idemanda ko? At sino ang accused?” This is in reference to the fact that a bishop who suggested that he should just file a case against the priest who molested him when he was a kid, a suggestion that Duterte found ridiculous.
3. He finds the Catholic Church hypocritical
“You have been castigating me or criticizing me. You want a debate before I become President? Okay! Lahat ng bishops d’yan, tumindig kayo (All you bishops, stand up). I will tell you the sins of the Catholic Church beginning from the time the institution of the papacy was established. I will lecture until June 29 the sins of the Catholic Church, and whether or not you are still relevant. Alam mo (You know), the most hypocritical institution is the Catholic Church.” This is in reference to the fact that a Duterte will officially be sworn in as President on June 30, so he wants to engage in a debate witn church officials before he can be accused of using his position as President, as reported on ABS-CBNnews.com.
4. He says some church officials enjoy a life of luxury through political connections
“[Sa] panahon ni Arroyo naghingian kayo (During the administration of President Gloria Arroyo, you asked for things). That is graft and corruption, hindi niyo ba alam ‘yan (didn’t you know that)? Iyung ibang tao sa Pilipinas walang makain, walang medisina (Other people in the Philippines don’t have food or medicine), and you were enjoying the money of the goddamn people of the Philippines by riding on that. Hindi na kayo nahiya n’yan? Putangina kayo (Didn’t you feel any shame? You sons of whores)!” This is in reference to the bishops who allegedly asked for SUV’s (among other things) during the Arroyo administration.
5. He doesn’t believe in the Church’s officials
“I have this deep, abiding faith in God but that does not mean that you have to have a religion, you have to follow somebody, that you have to get a message from this and that.” This is in reference to his personal belief.
