MANILA -- Newly-appointed Presidential Adviser for Religious Affairs Bishop Grepor "Butch" Belgica on Friday vowed to concretize President Rodrigo R. Duterte's vision of a God-fearing nation.
"As Adviser for Religious Affairs, my primary concern is concretizing President Rodrigo Roa Duterte's vision of a God-fearing nation endowed with liberty, truly free to worship the true and living God, Creator of the universe," he said in a statement.
Belgica thanked the President for his appointment, adding that he will only have a one-peso compensation every year.
"For the prestigious position of Presidential Adviser for Religious Affairs, I am overwhelmed with joy and that awesome feeling of gratefulness. Thank you Mayor Rody," he said.
Belgica expressed his support for the Duterte administration's initiatives, adding that his "agenda should correspond with President Duterte's agenda."
"As a Presidential Adviser for Religious Affairs to the Head of State, I serve gratis et amore since the position is in line with the Lord's highest calling in life which rejects hirelings." he said.
"I receive the responsibility as God-ordained. May I be a blessing to the President, in particular, and to our people and nation, in general," he added.
Belgica cited the illegal drug problem as one of those that destroys the Filipino youth.
"It is, particularly, the evil infestation of drugs that he wants removed. He is determined to stop the destruction of Filipino youth, our posterity. And consequently, he desires the transformation of broken lives that were ruined by substance abuse. These are which he wants addressed," he said.
Belgica also commended the Kontra Droga campaign of the Duterte administration.
"President Rodrigo Duterte launched a no-nonsense Kontra Droga campaign for the sake of keeping our nation a wholesome place to live in, with a vibrant Filipino society in an atmosphere of love and freedom. This Kontra Droga initiative will prevent the disintegration and denigration of more Filipino families," he said.
Belgica is the father of Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission commissioner Greco Belgica. (PNA)
