Rodrigo Duterte answers questions from reporters at Greenhills, San Juan.
INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE
Speaking as a Catholic and not as a government official, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda on Tuesday explained his tweet criticizing Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.
鈥淐ertainly, I was surprised. Why are you cursing someone who is so well loved by the Catholics?鈥� Lacierda told Malaca帽ang reporters during a phone interview.
He was referring to Duterte admitting that he cursed Pope Francis because of the inconvenience experienced during the papal visit in January.
After media reported Duterte鈥檚 comments, Lacierda posted on Twitter, 鈥淢ayor Duterte, you can say all you want about politicians but you don鈥檛 curse my Pope Francis! #defendthepope鈥�
Lacierda explained that he 鈥渟poke as a Catholic.鈥� 鈥淩emember I鈥檓 speaking not as a government official and I take my faith seriously. You know, he鈥檚 the head of 鈥� spiritual head of one billion Catholics,鈥� he said.
鈥淭he Pope was our revered guest, well-loved and well respected by millions of Catholics. People waited in line to catch a rare glimpse of Pope Francis and for all of us who labored under the weather na hinintay siya ng gaano katagal, it was a rewarding experience noong nakita siya,鈥� the Secretary further explained.
He said Duterte not just cursed but cursed the Pope.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a difference when you say 鈥楶I鈥� and then when you say 鈥楶I mo鈥� 鈥榙i ba? I mean it鈥檚 common language,鈥� he said, alluding to a foul expression.
鈥淲ala sa lugar. And it鈥檚 that, wala sa lugar 鈥榶ung kanyang pagmura kay Pope Francis kahit na sabihin niya na dahil sa traffic,鈥� Lacierda said.
He said Duterte has the right to criticize the government, but he pointed out that the Aquino administration is already resolving the traffic issue.
鈥淲e recognize traffic as a problem and that is why we have solutions like 鈥� short-term solutions like the installation of HPG (Highway Patrol Group) and the long-term solution is the construction of the SLEX, NLEX Connector Road,鈥� he said.
Asked if he thought the backlash Duterte received would affect his presidential aspirations, Lacierda said, 鈥淵ou know it鈥檚 not for me to judge. I spoke as a Catholic and it鈥檚 not 鈥� I am not an expert on whether this will turn the tide against Mayor Duterte. Certainly, some people 鈥� some quarters, the Church, for instance, Bishop Soc (Villegas) has spoken on the cursing of Mayor Duterte on Pope Francis.鈥�
鈥淪ome people have expressed indignation, some people have supported Mayor Digong downplaying the cursing saying that he was talking about the traffic,鈥� he added.
Lacierda said it is up to the people to decide whether to vote for Duterte.