Caloocan bishop asks Filipinos to pray for ‘very sick’ Duterte

Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David has asked the Filipino Catholics to pray for the "very sick" President Rodrigo Duterte.

David made the statement in Facebook post on Friday, a day after Duterte scoffed at the Catholic observance of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day.

At a joint situation briefing on Thursday, Duterte also threw at least a couple of cuss words at Catholics and called the saints "drunkards."

"There’s nothing new about our saints being called 'fools and drunkards'. St. John the Baptist was even called 'devil-possessed'," David said.

The prelate said even Jesus was called a “glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.”

"Please remember, Jesus taught us to be merciful when dealing with sick people," David said.

"I think it should obvious to people by now that our country is being led by a very sick man. We pray for him. We pray for our country," he added.

Duterte on Thursday made the controversial statements after greeting his audience "Happy All Saints' Day" and hours after releasing a statement calling its the 'solemn' celebration.

"Happy All Saints'... Bakit naman... tarantado talaga itong mga Katoliko ang puta, bakit ba may All Souls' Day tapos may All Saints' Day, 'di nga natin alam ano 'yung mga santo..." Duterte  said.

"Sino 'yung mga gago na 'yun, mga lasenggo. Dito na lang kayo, I'll give you one patron, para hindi na kayo magpasyal. Get hold of a picture of mine, 'yan ang ilagay niyo sa altar, Santo Rodrigo," he added, drawing laughter from a crowd of Cabinet members, local officials, and disaster response officers. —NB, GMA News