Speaking against Catholic bishops may lead to election win —Duterte

Speaking against Catholic bishops did him in good in the 2016 presidential elections, President Rodrigo Duterte joked before an audience of baptists on Thursday night.

In front of baptists on their 120th anniversary in the country, Duterte said he was the first politician to speak out against the Catholic church.

“When the results of the election came, I got six million over the next [candidate] and so maybe it’s good to b—l s—t the bishops. It might make you win. Take it from my experience,” Duterte said, drawing laughter.

The president has repeatedly taken jabs at Catholic bishops in response to their vocal criticism of him, sometimes going as far as to wish their deaths.

During the presidential race in 2015, Duterte also became controversial for throwing an invective at Pope Francis.

“You’d notice they are no longer complaining,” Duterte said but added that he could not disclose why. He said the reason was “supposed to be in confidence.”

“Even if I say b—l s—t, they don’t respond anymore. That is how to win the war against the Catholic church. All you have to do it say ‘P— ina ninyo.’ Panalo ka na.” —Julia Mari Ornedo/NB, GMA News