DAGUPAN CITY 鈥撯�� Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas on Thursday denied that he met last year with some plotters to overthrow the government as alleged by Peter Joemel Advincula, also known as 鈥淏ikoy.鈥�
鈥淥n the day and time, December 12, 2018, in the evening, that I allegedly met with some plotters to overthrow the government, I was in the parish church of Orani (town) in Bataan (province) to deliver the homily at the first mass of a friend newly ordained priest,鈥� said Villegas in a statement posted on Thursday at the official Twitter page of the Catholic-run Radio Veritas.
鈥淎s a mortal being like the rest of us, I have no capacity to be in two places at the same time,鈥� said Villegas, former president of the influential Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines.
Last Tuesday, Advincula claimed meeting with Villegas, a certain Father Robert, Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, and former Education Secretary Armin Luistro in separate sessions at universities.
Advincula reportedly claimed that the meetings centered on how to publicize a story that President Duterte鈥檚 allies and family were linked to illegal drugs, to unseat Duterte, and to ensure the defeat of administration-backed senatorial candidates in the recently concluded elections.
David had also vehemently denied ever meeting with Advincula.
Villegas said he 鈥渃annot and will never鈥� lend a hand to use illegal or violent means for social change, saying such actions would weaken the country鈥檚 democratic foundations.
鈥淭his is contrary to my Christian conscience,鈥� Villegas said.
He also said as a priest, his mission was to continue the love of Jesus Christ and to teach His truth always.
鈥淚 believe in the power of electing officials; that is why I have tried my very best, as a priest and as a Filipino, to morally guide the people entrusted to my pastoral care,鈥� Villegas said. (贰诲颈迟辞谤:听Leti Boniol)