Sereno: Duterte violated constitution in ‘stupid God’ remark

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte might have violated the Constitution by calling God “stupid,” former chief justice Maria Lourdes Sereno said yesterday.

However, she said she was not sure if such a violation would amount to an impeachable offense that could lead to Duterte’s ouster.

She told ABS-CBN News Channel that the President is required to defend the Constitution, which contains an invocation of the “Almighty God.”

“There is a violation of the spirit of the preamble of the Constitution. But whether that is enough for action to be taken remains to be the question,” she said.

Sereno said Duterte’s statements on God are divisive.

“You don’t just divide people by saying ‘I have a god who is perfect, yours is not.’ So that is what he’s basically saying: ‘I am correct, the rest of you are wrong’ ... or was it just an afterthought,” she said.

The former chief justice was facing an impeachment case in the House of Representatives until her own colleagues in the Supreme Court ousted her.

She has expressed suspicion that Duterte was behind her ouster.

For opposition Rep. Edcel Lagman of Albay, the President has violated his oath of office by calling God stupid.

“Duterte’s oath of office as President of the Republic appropriately culminates in the solemn invocation of ‘So help me God.’ His plea to the Divine Providence is accentuated by placing his left hand on the Bible.

“After seeking God’s help in the discharge of his duties, Duterte now derides the Almighty in patent breach of his solemn oath,” he said.

“It is not surprising that Duterte lacks fidelity in vindicating the people’s trust, even as his patriotism is suspect in the face of China’s unchallenged onslaught in the West Philippine Sea,” he said.

Lagman’s opposition colleague Tom Villarin of Akbayan expressed dismay over Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle’s appeal to priests for calm in the face of the President’s controversial “God is stupid” statements.

“It shows how alienated the Church leader is to the realities of the faithful who have suffered from extrajudicial killings, high inflation, lack of accountability and sellout of our sovereignty to China under Duterte’s regime,” he said.

“How can Cardinal Tagle not see the ‘complete picture of the context’ of Duterte’s action when he has incessantly attacked the Church, cursed the pope, justified the killing of priests, killed the innocents in a deadly war against the poor?” he asked.

Villarin recalled the days of the late Jaime Cardinal Sin, who he said led his flock “to overthrow the Marcos dictatorship through a peaceful people power revolt.”

He urged the Catholic Church not to fall into the “trap of seeking dialogue with a President who has shown no remorse in his murderous ways and violent language.”

“Instead, it should steer the faithful’s righteous anger to a call for unity in defense of faith and justice. It should mobilize the flock to demand an end to impunity and for the rule of law to prevail amidst moves to destroy our institutions. Now is no longer the moment of study, reflection and clarification of doctrine but a time of action,” he said.

Another opposition congressman, Gary Alejano of Magdalo, said the President’s remarks were “a grave act of disrespect to millions of Filipino Christians whose faith is part of their identity as people.”

“Duterte has destroyed our democratic institutions. He is waging a senseless war against the poor. Now, for whatever devious purpose, he is trying to discredit the Catholic faith. Regardless of the form, he is disrespecting the country and its citizens,” he said.

“My God has been my refuge most especially during trying times. He has been the provider and rock of my life. Who is Duterte to mock my God, our God, when he can’t even fulfill his mandate and promises to the Filipino people?” –  With Evelyn Macairan