MANILA, Philippines (Updated 9:53 p.m.) — President Rodrigo Duterte's tough talk is not bullying but an expression of "dislike" and a warning to criminals to deter them from committing illegal acts, Malacañang said Tuesday.
Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said Duterte did not feel alluded to by Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle's reminder not to use one's power to bully others because the president "does not bully people."
Panelo said Tagle's reminder could also apply to the Church.
"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," he said of the Catholic Church, which remains influential in the Philippines.
"If the message is in the generic or general term, then I agree. You cannot be using power to bully or to coerce people. The president is against that too," he added.
Asked to explain what the president does, Panelo said: "He expresses his sentiment on a particular matter, situation. He expresses dislike and he explains it."
"He threatens criminals, yes. To make them feel threatened and stop doing their criminal acts," he added.
Harsh words for critics
The president has also had harsh words for those seen as critical of him and, as head of government, has considerable power to deal with them.
An Australian nun, whom Duterte said had a "shameful mouth," left the Philippines in November, months after the president had her detained and investigated for allegedly speaking against him.
Sister Patricia Fox, who had been doing missionary work in the Philippines for nearly three decades, was made to leave the country for violating an Immigration bureau ban on foreigners joining partisan activities.
The president has also had harsh words for media companies seen as being critical of the government. He has hinted he will block the renewal of broadcaster ABS-CBN's franchise while online news site Rappler is facing tax-related cases stemming from a Securities and Exchange Commission probe into alleged foreign ownership of the company.
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Duterte: Yes, I am a bully
During his second state of the nation address last year, Duterte admitted being a "bully" to the enemies of the state.
“To the Left, I will not talk to you. Why should I?” Duterte said, referring to communist rebels.
“They accused me of being a bully. That’s true. I said I’m a bully to the enemies of the state. If you don’t want to talk to me, I don’t want to talk to you,” he added.
During a homily at the Manila Cathedral last Sunday, Tagle reminded the faithful not to bully anyone and not to use their power to disrespect or coerce others.
Tagle said the one who uses power to belittle his fellow man is "the one who is most afraid and insecure. Quoting St. Paul, the apostle who spread the teachings of Jesus to non-Jews, Tagle said the secret to happiness is not belittling other people.
Tagle did not mention names during his homily but his remark came after Duterte hurled a series of tirades against the Catholic Church, the religous group of more than 80 percent of Filipinos.
Duterte, who claims he believes in God but not in religion, has called the Church "the most hypocritical institution" for its supposed failure to stop the sexual abuses of priests.
He has also accused a bishop of amassing wealth at the expense of parishioners and has claimed that about 80 percent of priests are gays, allegations that remain unsubstantiated.