Palace on Duterte, Church: There should be a ceasefire

FILE: With this, Roque said, “Remember the President is also human.” (YANCY LIM/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO)

Malacañang asked for a “ceasefire” between the Chief Executive and the Church on Tuesday, July 3.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, Jr. called for this midst the tension between President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and several Church leaders, and institutions.

“It’s always bilateral. If there’s going to be a cessation of hostile language, it has to be from both institutions,” he told the reporters in a press briefing.

“I think it’s not just the President who should be told that as we hold this dialogue, that perhaps there should be a ceasefire. It should also be told to some Church leaders as well,” Roque continued.

Furthermore, the spokesperson cited an opinion piece by Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo saying that “God did not give us Duterte to be our President. The 16 million voters chose him to be President and he is now President. But God can write straight with crooked lines. Even from something bad, good can come out.”

The piece read that while Duterte was elected by 16 million voters, it was “not even the majority” of the 50 million Filipino voters in 2016.

“He is not even a majority president,” it added.

With this, Roque said, “Remember, the President is also human. He will react if he reads something again prominently reported in the media.”

The spokesperson said that if “they” can talk, Dutert could also talk back.

“It’s really a dialogue. It’s a two-way street. Tell also the auxiliary bishop that perhaps he should not have said what he said,” Roque said.

Roque also stressed that the President will not interfere and will allow religious institutions have their freedom-respecting it – but it will always be a conversation.

The word war between Duterte and the Church began with his controversial speech when he called God “stupid” and questioned several verses in the Bible such as the Creation and the Last Supper.