Davao City Mayor Rodrigo "Rody" Duterte on Tuesday expressed his regret over his controversial remarks against Pope Francis during his speech at the PDP-Laban's endorsement of his presidential candidacy.

 

"Mayor Rody Duterte expressed sadness and regret that the part of his speech mentioning Pope Francis in relation to the monstrous traffic gridlock in January, came across as being disrespectful to the person of His Holiness Pope Francis," a statement posted on his Facebook account said. 

 

"It was farthest from his mind and was never his intention," it added, after the remark drew flak from various sectors, including the influential Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

 

The statement also said Duterte acknowledges that he should have explained better his point on the gridlock caused by the arrival of Pope Francis in the Philippines last January. 

 

"His strong statement on the incompetence of those in government to address the traffic problem in Metro Manila was his expression of anger borne out of the helplessness of the millions of commuters suffering from this daily gridlock," it stated. 

 

"It was never intended to be directed to the person of His Holiness Pope Francis, who has his utmost respect. It was out of exasperation at the inutility of the functionaries in government not only during that historic visit of Pope Francis but at the daily sufferings of all citizens in Metro Manila up to this moment," it added. 

 

Duterte also fully understands the reactions of many who, "at the very least, are displeased and disappointed at this unfortunate and regrettable incident."  —Trisha Macas/KBK, GMA News