MALACAÑANG on Wednesday, January 16, criticized Novaliches Bishop Emeritus Teodoro Bacani Jr. for challenging President Rodrigo Duterte to walk the streets without security escorts, saying this was not just "outright silly and childish" but was also "absurd".
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Bacani was merely "embarassing" himself when he issued the challenge.
Panelo said Duterte could not heed Bacani's call, simply because as the highest official in the country, the Chief Executive needs to be protected from any security risks.
"The challenge of Novaliches Bishop Emeritus Teodoro Bacani, Jr. to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to walk around without security not only is outright silly and childish but absurd as well. It was evidently made with the sole purpose of getting publicity for the challenger," Panelo said in a statement.
"[Duterte] would have loved to accept the challenge but security protocols are observed for his protection as President – a position carrying awesome responsibilities requiring him to attend to the problems of the nation. A position that the good bishop has never held and might never assume in his lifetime," he added.
On Tuesday, January 15, Bacani issued a "friendly" challenge to Duterte to walk around without any security aide, if the latter is "really brave."
Bacani made the call in response to Duterte's fierce rhetoric against the Catholic Church leaders, urging bystanders to "rob" and "kill" rich bishops.
"Meron lang akong friendly challenge kay Presidente Duterte. Simple lang na ganito. Alam ninyo, kaming mga obispo, naglalakad kami, wala kaming bodyguard, wala kaming bullet-proof vests, wala kaming mga security aides na nakapaligid na marami, wala kaming dalang baril. Ganoon kami," the prelate said in an interview with church-run Ratio Veritas.
(I have a friendly challenge to President Duterte. It's simple. We bishops, we walk around, we don't have bodyguards, no bullet-proof vests, no security aides, nor guns. That's how we are.)
"Ang challenge ko kay President Duterte, kung talagang matapang siya, simple lang, gawin niya 'yung ginagawa namin (My challenge to President Duterte is if he's really brave, let him do what we do)," he added.
Panelo said Bacani should be more careful with his remarks against the President so as to spare the bishop from further embarassment. (SunStar Philippines)