Alejano to Duterte: 'Not even you, has the right to disrespect our faith'

Magdalo Party list Rep. Gary Alejano / file photo from World News

Manila, Philippines – Opposition lawmaker and senatoriable aspirant Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano on Thursday denounced as unacceptable President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s baseless tirades against the Catholic leaders.

Alejano said that tirades of Duterte are all rooted from the Church’s criticisms against the policies of the current administration like the ‘Oplan Tokhang.’

Unfounded reasons

“First, he called God stupid. Now, he calls Bishops useless and orders their masscre. Marahil ang mga pahayag na ito ay naka-ugat sa hindi pagsang-ayon ng Simbahang Katolika sa mga hindi makatao at hindi makatarungang polisiya ng administrasyon gaya ng Oplan Tokhang,” said Alejano in a statement

(Translation: First, he called God stupid. Then, he now calls Bishops useless and orders them dead. These statements are rooted from the opposition of the Catholic Church against the inhumane and unjustly policies of the administration like the Oplan Tokhang.)

Alejano added that whatever Duterte’s reasons maybe, unfounded remarks against the bishops and priests were “unacceptable.”

“Ano pa man ang dahilan, malinaw na ang mga pahayag na ito ay hindi katanggap-tanggap. Ang ating pananampalataya na ating naging sandigan sa mahabang panahon ay binabastos lamang ng ating Pangulo,” Alejano said

(Translation: Whatever the reasons are, it is clear that these statements are unacceptable. Our faith that has been a solid foundation for the longest time is just being disrespected by our President.)

Religion freedom

Alejano also stressed that no one, not even the country’s chief executive, has the right to disrespect the faith of others.

“Ang mga Pilipino ay may kalayaang pan relihiyon. Walang sino man, kahit pa ang Presidente, ang may karapatang mambastos sa ating mga pananampalataya. Ang mga pahayag na ito ay walang puwang sa lipunang may takot sa Diyos,” the opposition’s senatorial candidate said.*

(Translation: Filipinos have their freedom of religion. No one, even the President, has the right to disrespect our faith. These statements have no place in a nation that fears the Lord.)

During the awarding ceremonies for the 2017 Presidential Award for Child-Friendly Municipalities and Cities in Malacañang Wednesday, the president has also launched his criticisms against the Catholic Church.

 “[I]tong mga obispo ninyo, pat*yin ninyo. Walang silbi iyang mga gagong iyan. All they do is criticize,” the president said

The chief executive also claimed that most of the Catholic priests are homosexuals.

“No offense intended. I have so many relatives who are gay. I have two brother-in-laws who are gay. But most of the priests there are homosexuals, almost 90 percent of you. So do not postulate on my morality,” Duterte said.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte delivers his speech during the awarding ceremony for the 2017 Presidential Award for Child-Friendly Municipalities and Cities (PACFMC), at the Malacañan Palace on December 5, 2018. Photo via PCOO

Source: Inquirer