It appears that there is an emerging word war between CBCP head Archbishop Socrates Villegas and leading presidential candidate Rody Duterte.
On Tuesday, December 1st, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines president took to Facebook to say he is grieved over the remarks of the Davao City Mayor who allegedly cursed Pope Francis after getting stuck in traffic for five hours during the Papal visit in January.
In his post, Villegas said:
In a recent radio interview, Duterte already denied that he cursed the Pope. The presidentiable, however, has yet to give a word on the FB post of the CBCP head.
Meanwhile, some of Duterte's die hard supporters online reacted on the rant of Villegas. One of those who defended the city mayor is a certain James Che Orellabac.
His post reads:
One James Retrep also posted:
Sanji Li Roux said:
It seems Duterte doesn't need to answer Archbishop Villegas. The Filipino people, who are already fed up with the rotten government system, corruption and criminality, would speak for him.
On Tuesday, December 1st, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines president took to Facebook to say he is grieved over the remarks of the Davao City Mayor who allegedly cursed Pope Francis after getting stuck in traffic for five hours during the Papal visit in January.
In his post, Villegas said:
MAYOR DUTERTE?
What the world desperately needs now is leadership by example. We have so many leaders in office and many more aspiring to sit in office but are they examples of good citizenship? If the leaders we choose are to be leaders for national progress they must be visionaries AND exemplary.
Corruption is indeed a great scourge of Philippine politics.
The usual face of corruption that we recognize easily is stealing from public funds. Corruption, like a monster, is a devil with many faces. Killing people is corruption. Killing is a crime and a sin whether it is done by criminals or public officials no matter what the intention. Adultery is corruption. It makes married love cheap and uses people for pleasure. Adultery corrupts the family; it destroys children and victimizes the weak. Vulgarity is corruption. When we find vulgarity funny, we have really become beastly and barbaric as a people. When a revered and loved and admired man like Pope Francis is cursed by a political candidate and the audience laugh, I can only bow my head and grieve in great shame. My countrymen has gone to the dregs.
Is this the leadership by example that Mayor Duterte excites in us? Is this the leadership by example that makes a public official deserving of the title “Honorable”? I grieve for my country....!
In a recent radio interview, Duterte already denied that he cursed the Pope. The presidentiable, however, has yet to give a word on the FB post of the CBCP head.
Meanwhile, some of Duterte's die hard supporters online reacted on the rant of Villegas. One of those who defended the city mayor is a certain James Che Orellabac.
His post reads:
Excuse me dear Archbishop Socrates Villegas. I respect YOUR point of view against the immoral acts of Mayor Duterte but im sorry to tell YOU that all the candidates that the catholic church have supported since YOUR so called "saint" Madam Cory Aquino up to her son Noynoy have FAILED this country so many times.
I do not know what your STANDARDS are when YOU suggest for a candidate for the whole catholic population of the Philippines to vote for. But again NONE of them who won were a SOLUTION to YOUR so called "CORRUPTION".
If YOU could look at all the candidates as if YOU were god, i believe none of them will fit the category as a righteous leader. I have faith in YOU that YOU memorize by heart the holy gospel therefore YOU are aware that there is no one above god who is perfect and i believe YOU do agree to that.
This country does not need a HOLY MAN who cannot heal the sickness of the Philippines but it needs a doctor to uproot this so called disease in the government.
SOME of the candidates are EVIL and the obligation of the Filipino people is to choose the lesser evil . If you are not satisfied with any of the presidential candidates why dont you run for president yourself. Im sure the catholic church would support YOU.
WITH ALL DUE RESPECT.
One James Retrep also posted:
May I remind those bleeding hearts that mayor duterte is applying as a guardian of this nation not as your hubby, boy friend, Priest, Pulpulitiko, or your typical Guidance counselor . so learn to set aside his personal life from political performance or his colorful speeches..Its either choosing him or your Pope kissing pulpulitikos snatching peoples money!
Sanji Li Roux said:
We have a priest-like candidate na nilalagay ang kanin sa baso to act maka-masa. We have an angelic-american face candidate whose experience does not even prove anything. And before I forget, we also have a candidate na dala ang tatak ng Boy Scout of the Philippines pero hindi tumatapak sa putik. #DU30 for true service
It seems Duterte doesn't need to answer Archbishop Villegas. The Filipino people, who are already fed up with the rotten government system, corruption and criminality, would speak for him.