MANILA – The Malacañang insisted that bullying is not part of President Rodrigo Duterte’s character in light of criticisms from Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle in his homily on Sunday at the Manila Cathedral.
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the President does not feel alluded to by Tagle when the latter said that power should not be used to bully, disrespect, and coerce others.
“He does not bully. He expresses his sentiment on a particular matter, a situation. He expresses dislike and he explains it,” Panelo said in a media briefing on Tuesday. “It is not in his character to bully people.”
“He threatens criminal, yes, to make them feel threatened and stop doing their criminal acts,” added the Palace official. “Those in power would also apply to those in the Church. If the message is in general term then I agree.”
Tagle in his recent homily reminded that any politician should not use their power in bullying people.
“St. John the Baptist said, ‘Don’t be a bully.’ Do not bully anyone. Don’t use your power as a license to be rude. Don’t use your power to coerce people. Don’t use arms to level false accusations against others,” the archbishop of Manila said.
“Do not belittle others. That you are in high office does not mean you have the right to trample others. You will never be happy that way,” he added. “In truth, a bully, someone who uses his power to belittle others, is a fearful and insecure person.”/PN
