The reported formation of a three-man committee to mend fences with Catholics and Christians is just a propaganda move on the part of Malacanang to soften the impact of the President’s remarks on God.
I would go further and say it’s hypocritical to hold a dialogue with Christian leaders, since he has focused his tirades on the Catholic faith. Santa Banana, didn’t Duterte say “my God is not your God?”
How can there be a dialogue when the differences in faith are just irreconcileable?
My gulay, how can Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ernesto Abella and Pastor Boy Saycon agree on biblical teachings?
Within the Catholic faith itself, there never was any unanimity on creation as a purely historical event. Many believe it is absurd that the universe could be created in six days. Scholars say it is a big mistake to read the Bible literally.
So what will Roque, Abella and Saycon say in their dialogue with the bishops? To me, that’s an exercise in futility.
I think God has allowed President Duterte to ask these questions to test our faith. Questions on religion are really a matter of faith.
The President was born and raised a Catholic. He attended Catholic schools. However, it appears he no longer believes in the values and teachings ingrained in him in his youth.
This is tragic—we now have a President who believes in his own god, cursing the god of his ancestors. Is this the change we bargained for?
***
The environment of impunity, with killings left and right, is fast becoming our culture. Eventually, we just might be regarded as the Wild, Wild West!
What does President Duterte want barangay officials to do? Kill and kill, in the name of the campaign against drugs?
The President should also be told that most barangay officials are elected because they are supported by traditional politicians. In effect, the President will just be promoting private armies.
In the case of ROTC trainees being armed—for what? Whoever suggested such a thing must be gun-crazy. Or, they could be the enemies of the President. I say this because it is clear that this idea could only be bad for Mr. Duterte.
***
Top universities analyzed the Duterte administration’s war on drugs and concluded that the government was focusing on the symptoms without addressing the root causes.
Such causes, the report said, were poverty and unemployment.
I have been saying the same thing all along. The poor are really the targets of the campaign, even though both rich and poor people use drugs.
The President may be able to kill the last drug dealer or drug lord, but if he cannot stop the demand, the problem will continue even after he steps down in 2022.
They may reject the findings of Ateneo and La Salle, but so long as he views the drug problem as only a peace and order issue, President Duterte and the PNP are bound to fail.
Santa Banana, more and more daily killings are being reported! The President must remember that illegal drug use is not only for the poor.
***
I have long been urging government to build more jail facilities considering the inhuman congestion happening here. With more and more arrests made in connection with the war on drugs, existing prisons will not be able to hold the inmates. Conditions here are worse than what one can imagine. People have to take turns sleeping, my gulay!
I am sure President Duterte has seen the photos of existing jail facilities. One can get sick and die in them. Can anyone live on P50 a day for food?
With the order to arrest tambays, conditions are bound to get worse.
What has the Duterte administration done to fix the congestion problem? Nothing!
I found it strange that resigned Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II stopped the final bidding for the relocation of the New Bilibid Prison. Three bidders have pre-qualified, but why was the bidding stopped?
The NBP was built only for 2,500 inmates. Guess how many there are now? They number 24,000, Santa Banana!
***
Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio may have declined his nomination to the highest post in the judiciary, but I maintain he is the best person for the job. I am happy that the Integrated Bar of the Philippines has endorsed him.
Justice Carpio, please accept the nomination. We need to restore our faith in the justice system.
***
Please visit my website, www.emiljurado.weebly.com.