Davao Mayor Rodrigo Duterte drew flak from a majority of Filipinos and the international community after making a controversial statement about an Australian rape-slay victim. Many shared their views and opinions on the matter: from the defenders to the critics, from the local to the international scene, and from ordinary citizens to Duterte’s fellow presidential candidates.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines has also given a statement concerning the recent issue involving the controversial Presidential aspirant from Davao while issuing a warning to Catholics as well. In an election forum at the University of the Philippines in Iloilo City, Duterte responded to this by addressing the Roman Catholic voters with a statement:
“Sundin ninyo ang inyong bishop kasi kung hindi pupunta kayo sa impyerno.”
(“Follow your bishops, because if you don’t, you will go to hell.”)
Duterte: To all Roman Catholics, listen to your bishop. Dont vote for me or you will go to hell. @gmanewsbreaking pic.twitter.com/S3kb7lDft4
— Cedric Castillo (@cedric_castillo) April 19, 2016
This is not the first time the the 2016 Presidential aspirant from Davao has clashed with some representatives and heads of the Roman Catholic Church. Duterte has been criticized by some religious Roman Catholics and other religious supporters for his joke regarding Pope Francis’s Philippine visit, his admitted “fascination” towards women, and his straightforward machismo way of talking.