"Santo Rodrigo" just a joke – Palace

A "playful blow" on the saints can not influence a 2,000-year-old faith like Christianity or a major religion.

Thus Malacañang defended President Rodrigo Duterte's last misstep in which he joked the relevance of All Saints' Day, a tradition observed by millions of Filipinos.

The spokesman for the presidency, Salvador Panelo, said the president's statement, as described in the news, "would have been made in joke" to "clear up" the information meeting on the typhoon "Rosita" (international name: Yutu) that ravaged the north of Luzon.

"The strength and credibility of a religion that has existed for more than 2,000 years and survived wars and internal conflicts can not be affected by what some regard as aggression by unbelievers and its faithful. will not offend any mischievous blow against his saints, "Panelo said Sunday.

He added that Christianity, or any major religion that preceded it, would survive the test of time.

"No explanation needed"

Panelo made this statement to defend Mr. Duterte's latest blunder, drawn by critics of leaders of the Catholic Church.

"[His] remarks should not be considered beyond the description of reporters covering the event. A joke is a joke and the same thing does not require explanation, "he said.

He emphasized that such jokes should not be "considered religious allegiance".

This was not the first time the president had attacked the Catholic faith, after even calling God "stupid" many times earlier this year.

Fools, drunkards

On Thursday, Mr. Duterte questioned the celebration of All Saints' Day by Catholics, who flock to cemeteries that day to remember their deaths.

"So, Happy All Saints Day. Why … who are these Catholics? Why is there an All Saints Day and Soul Days? ", He said at a meeting of information on the situation in the province of Isabela.

He added, "We do not know who these saints, these fools, these drunkards are."

"Santo Rodrigo"

Jokingly, Mr. Duterte told the officials that he would give them another patron saint: himself.

"You stay here, I will give you a patron saint. A patron saint where you will not have to go anywhere else. Take a picture of me, place it on your altar, Santo Rodrigo, said the president, under the laughter of local officials and some secretaries of the Cabinet.

He made these remarks just hours after Malacañang published his message for All Saints' Day and the Feast of Souls, in which he encouraged Filipinos to "imitate the saints".

& # 39; Faith hope & love & # 39;

"We, Filipinos, welcome open hearts in November, remembering our departed saints and loved ones, whose lives have inspired us deeply to grow in faith, hope and love. Said the president in his statement.

"Together, let's imitate our saints, pray for the eternal rest of souls and deepen our commitment to our communities as we work for real and lasting change," he added.

"They were not offended"

Panelo pointed out that the president's remarks in Isabela were intended to "clarify" the situation following Rosita's wrath last week.

"The fact that they burst out laughing (as shown in the video clips of the newscast) shows that they are not offended by what the good bishop and some critics saw as an offensive religious statement against the All Saints Day celebration. . and the day of all souls, "he said.

Panelo noted that Mr. Duterte, after chairing the information meeting in Isabela, went to his hometown in Davao on Thursday evening to visit his parents' tomb, located in the Roman Catholic cemetery.

He added that even the President had recognized the "Filipinos' obligations towards the dead" of communion with their ancestors.

Stronger than words

Instead of taking the president's words out of context, Panelo said critics should look at his actions and not just his words.

"Actions must carry more weight than the words spoken when determining the true attributes of a person, because actions are more eloquent than words," he added.

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