‘Creeping influence of faith’ dampens gov’t initiatives: Duterte

Duterte said although he did not want to argue with the church and other religious leaders, it was this aspect of religion which he did not like. (ACE MORANDANTE/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO)

MANILA — Family planning initiatives and other government programs are being hindered because of the church’s “creeping influence of faith”, President Rodrigo R. Duterte said on Wednesday.

Duterte said although he did not want to argue with the church and other religious leaders, it was this aspect of religion which he did not like.

“The family planning, with due respect. Ayaw ko makipag-away (I don’t want to argue). It has something to do with the objection of religions, not all,” Duterte said in his speech at the celebration of the 31st anniversary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in Quezon City.

“I would not mention the faith because again I would not want to quarrel with them,” he added.

The Catholic church has been one of those against birth control methods other than natural family planning. It has also opposed the Reproductive Health Law.

Duterte said that the church failed to acknowledge the government’s efforts to implement programs beneficial to Filipinos.

“That is why one of my reasons why I do not like itong (this) — the creeping influence of faith is that they sometimes run counter to what government believes to be good for the people,” Duterte said.

During his term as Davao City mayor, Duterte said the city government had birth control pills readily available for those who needed it.

Duterte said he wanted to bring back family planning in the country as it would help improve the country’s economic growth.

The President’s remarks came amid ongoing talks between his four-panel team tasked to dialogue with religious leaders.

He is set to meet Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines president Romulo Valles on July 9 at Malacañang Palace.