Bishop Pablo Virgilio David to Duterte: 'Take vitamins, shakes'

MANILA, Philippines — Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David yesterday belied President Duterte’s allegation that he is involved in illegal drugs.

“Into drugs? No, sir, I am not into drugs of any sort, whether legal or illegal. Never been… Thank God I am not even taking any maintenance drugs yet. I only take vitamins with fruit shake blended with malunggay (moringa) in the morning,” David said.

“You might want to try it, sir. It will do you a lot of good. God bless you,” he added.

Last Monday, Duterte said he suspected that the 59-year-old prelate is engaged in illegal drug activities as the latter is reportedly often out at night. 

David denied this, saying his involvement in illegal drugs is limited to helping in the rehabilitation of drug addicts. 

“I partner with the anti-drug abuse councils or offices of the local government units of Caloocan, Malabon and Navotas in this endeavor,” he said. 

Recently, Duterte also accused a “Bishop David” of stealing church donations and giving them to his family – an allegation to which David reacted as he is the only Bishop David in the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines. 

He denied the claim of the President, whom he described as a sick man.

“You see, people who are sick sometimes do not know what they are talking about, so we should just bear with them,” he added.