A Catholic prelate is convinced that President Rodrigo R. Duterte is doing good in his job.
“I think he is sincere. I think he is doing well… Saka talagang meron siyang objective,” said Lipa Bishop Ramon Arguelles.
However, the prelate from Batangas noted that the President's being frank and true is being used by his critics against him.
“‘Yun nga lang, ang kanyang mga katabilan at maingay na salita at para bagang inhuman siya e ‘yun ang sinasamantala ng iba,” Arguelles said.
He admitted that what he likes about the Chief Executive is his genuineness in helping the less fortunate in the country.
“…ang isang bagay na gusto ko sa kanya e ‘yung ipinagtatanggol niya ‘yung mga mahihirap. Gusto niyang mag-improve ang mga mahihirap. Gusto kong ipagpatuloy niya ‘yun, hindi ‘yung mayaman lang ang yumayaman. Dapat ang mahihirap, magkaroon ng magandang kinabukasan,” the Lipa prelate said.
For his part, Bishop Noel Pantoja, National Director of the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC), said that the present administration is not perfect but the people have seen changes.
“It's not perfect but the promised ‘change' is coming despite challenges. What he promised during the campaign period led to realization that he would need more time and resources to arrest traffic problem, cleansing the country of drug menace and solving corruption cancer in the country,” he said.
Pantoja noted that the campaign against the menace in the society has resulted to some issues.
“His sincere desire and serious campaign against illegal drugs in the country and weeding out the country of systemic problems opened up like Pandora's box to related issues. Foremost to this is the everyday bloodbath and killings of precious lives related to drug campaign…,” he said.
The PCEC official said, “But change is coming little by little. The police reported slowing down of crimes in the country as there are less drug-related crimes committed. Seven hundred thousand surrendered and now have hopes of being rehabilitated. Churches and many organizations are given opportunity to serve. New doors and approaches of building relationships in neighboring countries are being forged.”
With this, he said that he will pray for the Chief Executive.
“In spite of his imperfections, I will pray for God's wisdom, strength and protection to be upon him. I will support him and encourage the church to stand behind him as God's anointed and minister to lead the country in this time of change,” Pantoja said.
The PCEC is the largest network of evangelical denominations, local churches and para-churches and mission organizations in the country. (PNA)
