Palace agrees with Tagle’s homily vs. abuse of power

MANILA -- Malacañang said on Tuesday it agrees with Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle who has warned the faithful against bullying and the abuse of power.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo made this remark in reaction to Tagle's homily during a traditional Simbang Gabi mass at the Manila Cathedral last Sunday.

“As Saint John the Baptist said, 'Do not be a bully. Do not bully anyone. Do not use your power to become rude. Don’t use your power to pressure or coerce others. Do not use your arms to make false accusations’,” Tagle said.

Panelo, however, pointed out that Church officials may also be guilty of bullying in the pulpit.

“I agree but whom does he refer to? Because those in power would also apply to those in the Church. You use the pulpit for bullying people then it’s the same,” Panelo said in a Palace briefing.

“If the message is in the generic or general term then I agree. You cannot be using power to bully or curse people. The President (Rodrigo R. Duterte) is against that, too,” he added.

Asked if the President felt alluded to, Panelo said the chief executive “doesn’t bully people.”

“He (Duterte) doesn’t bully people. He expresses his sentiment on a particular matter or situation. He expresses dislike and he explains it,” Panelo said.

“He threatens criminals, yes, to make them feel threatened and make them stop doing their criminal acts,” he added. (PNA)