On Wednesday, February 24, President Rodrigo Duterte advised the public to turn to God as the nation is currently facing threats like the COVID-19 virus.
Duterte is an open critic of the Roman Catholic church. In 2018, he questioned God’s existence and the story of creation in the Scriptures. He threw tirades against the Catholic faith. He even described God as ‘stupid’ for creating a ‘perfect’ world yet allowing the first humans, Adam and Eve, to destroy it.
“Who is this stupid God? Estupido talaga itong p***** i** kung ganun. You created some — something perfect and then you think of an event that would tempt and destroy the quality of your work,” he said.
Duterte, a Catholic, also said that he would step down from his Presidency if anybody can prove God’s existence.
However, a year after, it seems that he had a change of heart as he asserted that he is a ‘deeply religious person.’ Accordingly, he also used the Bible as a guide despite his sentiments against the Church.
“I am a deeply religious person, sa totoo lang. And my [guide in] life, alam ni Pastor ‘yan is the Bible. And if you can memorize by heart and understand Ecclesiastes 3. You can face any problem. You might not be able to solve it but you can understand why.”
Most recently, he urged the public to ‘pray more’ since the Nation is faced with problems like the COVID-19 pandemic.
“So many things really coming our way, problems. But if you want to have an advice, if you’re ready to get one, there is one thing really that can save this planet, it’s God.
“Maybe we should pray more,” he suggested.
With his inconsistent statements about his faith and trusting the country’s situation to God, Duterte earned ire from the Netizens.
— Chiara Zambrano (@chiarazambrano) February 25, 2021
@JerryGracio pointed out the irony of Duterte’s statements, who previously cursed God and now asking the people to turn to the Supreme Being. He also reworked a famous proverb in the version of Duterte.
Minura ang Diyos, tas magdadasal sa Diyos; sino ang Diyos niya, e sabi niya estupido ang Diyos di ba? Kundi ba naman estupido.
— Jerry B. Grácio (@JerryGracio) February 24, 2021
Wala pang bakuna.
"We should pray more."
Nasa Diyos ang awa.
Na kay Duterte ang ngawa.— Jerry B. Grácio (@JerryGracio) February 25, 2021
Duterte is also known to be fond of cursing and being pro-killings, which contradicted his advice.
This is what I hate most about this dog. Puro mura maririnig mo sa bunganga tapos patayan ganyan biglang "God". San kaluluwa mo teh?
— Cdl (@cuddleboii_) February 24, 2021
Netizens also pointed out the billions of debts the country has acquired, but the President has the nerve to tell the people to pray more instead.
https://twitter.com/mingming_meoww/status/1364738183808786434?s=20
Ang laki ng inutang ni Duterte pero sasabihin lang niya na "maybe we should pray more" para ma 'save' ang planet. Umay
— Piyooo (@maryelgold000) February 24, 2021
