Then presidential candidate Rodrigo Duterte visits Davao City Archbishop Romulo Valles in his residence. Photo taken on Dec. 4, 2015. 鈥擯HOTO FROM BONG GO鈥橲 FACEBOOK ACCOUNT
President Rodrigo Duterte and Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) president Romulo Valles would meet next week, a Palace official confirmed on Monday.
Special Assistant to the President Christopher 鈥淏ong鈥� Go told reporters that the meeting between the two leaders would be held on Monday, but the venue has yet to be finalized.
鈥淜ausap ko [si] Valles and PRRD (Duterte). Confirmed meeting nila next week. Constant contact kami ni Arch[bishop] Valles ever since pag may concern siya,鈥� he said in a text message to reporters.
The meeting between Duterte and Valles would come after President Duterte鈥檚 scathing remarks against the Catholic Church, calling God 鈥渟tupid鈥� and questioning the creation theory in the bible.
READ: Duterte on God, Catholics and Adam鈥檚 apple
Duterte had earlier formed a committee to dialogue with the Catholic Church and other religious groups to address the President鈥檚 rift with the Church.
In a press briefing in Maasin, Southern Leyte, Roque said expectations were 鈥渉igh鈥� for the meeting of the two leaders.
鈥淲e have very high expectations because there鈥檚 a very good relation between the President of the CBCP and the President of the Republic, both of whom are natives of Davao,鈥� he said. /ee
READ: Duterte forms team to dialogue with Catholic Church, other groups