Archbishop's concern for Duterte 'shows healthy, mature discourse'

MALACAÑANG welcomed on Thursday, January 17, Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas's recent expression of "concern" about President Rodrigo Duterte's health.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the Palace viewed Villegas's statement as an "invitation to a healthy, mature and constructive discourse between the Church and the State."

This came after Villegas raised worry that Duterte's tirades against the Catholic Church may affect the latter's health.

"Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas has expressed his concern about the President and said that the latter’s statements on the Church may not be good for his health and stature as the country’s leader," Panelo said in a statement issued Thursday night.

"The concern of Archbishop Villegas is, in fact, shared by the majority of Filipinos who understand that the success of this President equates to the success of the nation," he added.

Amid Duterte's relentless attacks against the Catholic Church, Villegas said he was more worried for Duterte than the religious institution as it has survived a lot of challenges over a span of 2,000 years.

Villegas particularly expressed concern over Duterte's health and stature, as the country's highest official may be affected by his tirades against the church.

Panelo, however, assured Filipinos, including Villegas, that the Chief Executive is "as healthy as a bull given his age and punishing schedule."

"While he is at it, Archbishop Villegas may thus wish to implore the Heavens to bless the President with good health so he can accomplish more for our country," the Palace official said.

Panelo likewise said that Duterte's stance on some church leaders' supposed wrongdoings "should not in any way worry them, considering the Church’s long existence."

He added that there was no need for the clergy to "act distressed and manifest their unpleasant comments against the President, especially with respect to how the President runs the government."

"There will always be disagreement in religious beliefs but that should not deter us from helping each other for the good of the country," Duterte's spokesman said.

"Let us therefore focus on our respective duties and maintain the inviolability of the separation between the Church and the State to avoid religion and governance from mixing and impeding upon each other," he added. (SunStar Philippines)

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