That was a rare photo of President Rodrigo Duterte putting his forehead on the backhand of Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles who is also the president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines. The photo which ran on the front pages of Manila’s major newspapers was taken in Malacanang minutes before the start of the CBCP-government dialogue to smooth out a simmering feud between Church and State.
The dialogue was sought by the administration after President Duterte’s scathing “God is stupid” remark. This was followed by a a presidential challenge of “show me a selfie with your god to prove your god exists and I will resign. The CBCP-Palace dialogue went through with the Church issuing a statement of “critical collaboration” and not having any role to oust Duterte.
The President agreed to a moratorium on making blasphemous remark about God and the Church. His “God is stupid” remark offended millions of Catholics and Christian groups. The Catholics and Christians compose an estimated 80 percent of the 105 million Filipinos. Whether the President would keep his mouth shut and refrain from maligning God, Church and Catholics in the country remains to be seen.
With several challenges facing the nation, let us all hope for the lessening of tension between Church and State. The Bangsamoro Basic Law is being tackled by a bicameral Senate-House committee. The Moro Islamic Liberation Front is making it difficult to grant demands that would make dim a final and enduring peace settlement. The long-running armed conflict between government troops and the insurgent New People’s Army is expected to escalate with the scuttling of the peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines. Prices of prime commodities continue to rise, bringing hardship to the people and adding to the unemployment and inflation rate. China is encroaching into the West Philippine Sea, depriving our fishermen of their livelihood. Then, there are the uncertain effects of federalism as proposed in the new Constitution.
Based on the result of the recent Pulse Asia survey on probable winners in the 2019 senatorial race, the President still enjoys the support of majority of the people. If surveys are to be believed, that is. Presidential daughter and Davao Mayor Sara Duterte ranks fourth as top probable winners behind Senator Grace Poe, Taguig City Rep. Pia Cayetano, Senator Cynthia Villar, and former Senators Sergio Osmeña and Lito Lapid.
Other probable winners, according to the Pulse Asia survey conducted from June 15 to 21 this year, were Senators Edgardo “ Sonny” Angara, Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel, Nancy Binay, Paulo Bam Aquino, J.V Ejercito and former Philippine National Police Director Ronald dela Rosa who is now the head of the Bureau of Corrections in Muntinlupa.
There was no word on Presidential Special Assistant Christopher “Bong” Go. He’s very visible these days with his photo appearing often in the Manila media.
People are also asking whether Maria Lourdes Sereno who was removed as Supreme Court Chief Justice via quo warranto proceedings will seek a Senate seat.
Meanwhile, Filipino boxing icon Senator Manny Pacquiao will be staking all in his coming world welterweight title fight with Argentina’s Lucas Mattysse this coming Sunday in Kuala Lumpur. His future box-office attraction and high purse plus his political career are all on the line. If he loses against the Argentinian knockout artist, Pacquiao loses all including a huge fortune since he financed the promotion of the Kuala Lumpur fight. Pacquiao let go of the services of promoter Bob Arum and long-time coach-trainer Freddie Roach. How he fares in this fight depends on loyal friend and now trainer Buboy Fernandez.
How do I see this fight? I think Mattysse might be too much for Pacquiao. A hard punching-pug who keeps coming forward, the Argentine could overwhelm Manny unless the Filipino shows some of his former self with his volume punches and stinging left straight. I hope I am wrong and Pacquiao prevails.
