The country’s presumptive president, Mayor Rody Duterte continued his tirades against the Filipino leaders of the world’s most dominant religious group, the Roman Catholic. Despite the constant attack against the mayor, he tried to divert the people’s attention by inviting every Filipinos to join his religion, “Iglesia Ni Duterte.”
Mayor Rody Duterte tagged earlier the Roman Catholic church as “the most hypocritical institution,” and even accused some of its bishop of corruption. The Davao City Mayor was involved in a word war against some leaders of the Catholic Bishop Conference of the Philippines, particularly on his stance of making available the artificial birth control methods not only for the people of Davao but also in the entire Philippines.
During the interview with the media, Pres. Duterte extended an unusual invitation to all the Filipino people. He was quoted as saying ““Di na ako miyembro ng Katoliko. May bago ako, lipat na lang kayo dito sa Iglesia ni Duterte (I’m not a member of the Catholic Church. I have something new. Join me in Iglesia ni Duterte),” he told reporters in jest.
The Davao City Mayor also clarified the issue of pushing a three-child policy under his administration but the mayor clarified that it is just a suggestion. Pres. Duterte also added that all Filipinos should not listen to the Church if it could not help them in supporting their children.
The tough-talking mayor also launched an offensive against CBCP bishops who allegedly campaigned against him during the national and local elections. He also lashed out against the bishops who allegedly received SUVs during the term of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and singled out Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop emeritus Oscar Cruz.
